The next weekend
Minerva slumped into the sofa in Amelia Bones's flat. The two of them were in sour moods after what was surely a long week at work for the both of them.
"What's got your feathers all ruffled, Min?" Amelia quipped.
Minerva simply said, "Hermione."
Amelia's attention was immediately piqued, "Go on."
"I…Hermione…Amelia she knows! Hermione found out I'm her mother." Minerva threw her hands up in exasperation.
"Years of hiding and one biography that was probably written by Gilderoy Lockhart blows my cover. She knows I'm her mother, figured it out just from the details of the dental practice that I left her at with the Grangers. And now she comes in expecting me to tell her about her father. Gods, if she even knew just how much we have done to keep anyone from knowing who she is. If she knew how dangerous things are with the blasted homophobic muggle and magical legislation. And to think she wants a relationship with me!"
Amelia read her mind immediately, "I know, it's too much for you right now. I for one am glad she knows part of the story and seems to be taking it well." She lay her head on her partner's shoulder. If only one day she could make this woman her wife, get to know Hermione instead of hearing about her escapades secondhand when sneaking around to see Minerva no more than twice a month. She was tired of all of this moderation, even if that was what the two of them did best.
The light contact after weeks of absence was too much for her and Minerva did something she, the ever controlled Minerva McGonagall, stern transfiguration professor, only ever did in Amelia's presence. She let herself cry. Teardrops fell into Amelia's comforting embrace and like always, Amelia was there to hold her and kiss her lightly on the temple.
They would get through this. It would be all right, in the end.
Once Minerva's breathing calmed, she continued, "Love, I told her that I couldn't tell her anything about her father other than saying he loves her very much. She…she wants to meet you one day, wants to get to know the both of us. How could she be so understanding?"
Amelia grinned and pushed Minerva teasingly in the side, "Well it's true, isn't it? I mean, hey, I was the one who had to get pregnant, but I do understand there were certain limitations for the language. She understands because she is a caring and conscientious young woman. Even if you didn't quite raise her, I'm sure you've rubbed off on her from all of those visits last year."
Minerva could tell from her expression that there was something else Amelia wasn't saying, holding back some key detail for dramatic effect just so she could say something guaranteed to make Minerva feel better.
"I have an idea," she declared. "What if…what if Hermione came to work for me. We have a new apprenticeship program with the Ministry of Magic for Hogwarts students. She's a fourth year now, she'd finally be old enough to apply. She could spend the summer learning about the Wizengamot for a few weeks as one of the rotations they do for magical careers. I'd get to talk to her a bit, maybe strike up a conversation, take her out to lunch."
"Well you certainly have some nerve. Getting to know our daughter right under the Wizengamot's nose? Do you not realize how utterly foolish that would be? That sort of thing could get us killed!"
"Relax, you're just jealous that you didn't think of it first!" Amelia smirked.
"I'll consider it," Minerva relented.