Chapter 3: Conversations at dinner.
As Hermione walked inside, she spotted that the lights were very dim. She glanced up and was shocked to see that the ceiling was bewitched to look like the night sky. She also noticed that the dinner table was incredibly elegant. Complete with two Sandalwood scented candles, her favorite scent, in striking antique candelabras.
"Wow", she exclaimed," Min this is completely amazing!"
" Why thank-you Hermione", Minerva said," but I cannot take all of the credit. I had some help."
"What do you mean?" Hermione inquired.
No sooner than that was said, did Dobby stroll in from the kitchen.
"Dobby!" Hermione exclaimed," It's so nice to see you!"
"Hello Miss Granger", Dobby said," It's very nice to be seeing you again as well."
"When will supper be ready Dobby?" McGonagall asked.
"Whenever you are ready for it Miss.", Dobby responded.
"Well I think we are ready right away, I am absolutely famished!" Minerva stated," Are you about ready for supper Hermione?"
"Oh yes", Hermione replied," I'm starved!"
"Please sit down misses." Dobby said.
He pulled out each of their chairs so they could sit down. "Enjoy", Dobby said as he snapped his fingers and disappeared.
It was a meal fit for a Queen. It took Hermione a minute to take in all the intoxicating smells. There was so much food she did not know where to start: Not to mention a bottle of red wine.
"This looks absolutely amazing!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Well I hope you enjoy!" Minerva replied
"Let's toast!" Hermione exclaimed," To good health, amazing friends, and excellent company!"
Minerva blushed for the second time this evening.
"Cheers!" Minerva replied.
Their glasses clinked together and their eyes met. For about three seconds their gaze was unbroken, nothing existed in this moment. Then all of a sudden, Minerva immediately looked down at her plate.
"So Hermione", Minerva started," You must've really loved and missed Hogwarts to want to come back and be a teacher."
" Oh yeah", Hermione replied," I have truly missed it here! The ambiance is so warm and inviting and friendly, not to mention the staff."
Minerva smiled knowing precisely to whom she was referring," You've missed it here that much?"
"Absolutely", Hermione exclaimed," I miss being a student here so much. So being able to come back and teach kids something that I love is such an incredible opportunity and I can never thank-you enough!"
"Well we are certainly lucky to gain not only such a brilliant professor, but a magnificent person as well." Minerva said
Hermione laughed softly and flashed Minerva a big smile.
"Well, how about some tea?" Minerva asked as she motioned towards the living room.
"That would be lovely", Hermione agreed.
Minerva and Hermione stood up and made their way into the living room. They both took a seat on the love seat since the couch was being occupied my Minerva's three cats. After she was situated, Minerva, with a wave of her wand, made two cups of tea and a teapot appear.
"God this reminds me so much of my school days!" exclaimed Hermione," Do you remember those tea's we used to have after classes had ended? Those always meant so much to me, not to mention they gave me an excuse to spend extra time with you."
"Aww, I'm flattered", Minerva replied," I very much enjoyed out get togethers as well."
"You were so wonderful and so nice, god I had the biggest crush on you," Hermione said as if it was common knowledge.
"Really?" Minerva said inquisitively.
"I don't know how you couldn't have noticed", Hermione replied," Practically everyone in the school knew, It was rather obvious."
"Wow, I am really very flattered!" a shocked Minerva replied.
"I suppose it started in the middle of my third-year: and at the beginning of my fourth-year, the first day of school in fact, I just knew that I was completely and utterly in love with you. Then somewhere near the end of my fifth-year, I realized that you would never feel the same, so I banished the thoughts. For the rest of my school years, after I graduated and left, and up until yesterday actually, I was content with being just your friend. But truth be told Minerva, those feelings never really left and seeing you again made me realize that I still love you."
Hermione placed her hand on Minerva's knee.
Millions of things were racing in and out of Minerva's mind. She didn't know what to think or do." Had Hermione really just declared her love for me?" Minerva was beside her self. All she could think to do was to kiss the young witch, which is actually all she wanted to do.
Minerva placed her hand over Hermione's and Hermione leaned in closer to fill the little gap there was between them. As their lips met, Minerva could fell the warmth and electricity that seemed to move through them. Hermione all too quickly pulled away.
"I am so sorry Minerva; I must've got caught up in the moment." Hermione said," Please forgive me, I am so sorry I completely lost control. I should go before I screw up our friendship completely, if I haven't done so already."
Hermione arose from her seat beside the older witch. A hysterically crying Hermione darted towards the door, swung it open and was gone: Leaving a very dazed Minerva in her wake. Once again, Minerva sought comfort in a hot bath, and once again, her bath did not soothe or comfort her. Millions of thoughts raced through Minerva's mind.
"My gods that kiss was mind-blowing! I have never felt so alive in my entire life. What would make her think she has ruined our friendship? Couldn't she tell that I wanted that kiss just as much maybe even more than she did? Apparently not or she would not have reacted the way she had. Oh gods what am I to do?"
Just then a voice inside Minerva's head barked at her." What is wrong with you, you old fool! Go after her and tell her how you feel before everything is ruined!"
Minerva leaped out of the bathtub. She seized a towel, not even bothering to change. Still sopping wet she raced down the corridor towards her old office.
When Hermione reached her quarters, she locked the door and flung herself onto the bed. Crying terribly, she asked herself what she had just done.
" Hermione what were you thinking", she said to herself," Admitting you had a crush on her is one thing, but telling her you still love her and then bloody kissing her! Oh God, she will probably hate me and never talk to me again, I know if I were her I would not talk to me again. I mean the look and her face was just so...horrified and traumatized! Nice job Hermione, you screwed up big time!
As Hermione continued to lecture herself on what an idiot she had been, she unexpectedly heard a knock at the door. She hastily stopped crying in order to hear who it was. She was shocked to death when she heard that beautiful and unmistakable voice say
"Hermione..."