McGonagall Manor

And just as quickly as the laws and restrictions that kept Hermione away from her mothers had been enacted, they became lines in legal history books kept at the Ministry of Magic in a matter of a few urgent meetings instigated by the head of the Wizengamot herself, Madam Amelia Bones. What had once seemed like insurmountable obstacles to bringing together her family now all but disappeared, providing her with a clear path towards reconciling her life with the Grangers with her future with Amelia and Minerva. The Grangers were terrified to hear of the scene that had unfolded at the Ministry of Magic and grateful for how well Hermione and Amelia handled the situation. They had a heart to heart with their adopted daughter and decided that she needed this time to get to know her biological family, allowing her to spend much of the remainder of the summer with them.

When Hermione wasn't completing her summer internship as Amelia cleaned up the wreckage at the Ministry, she could be found learning to love all that was magical about her new home in the Scottish highlands, and her mothers themselves. Minerva could not easily forget her daughter's amazement upon entering her ancestral home for the first time and getting acquainted with her personal library. Hermione looked over volumes of McGonagall family history with keen interest and listened intently to Minerva's stories about her relatives. For her part, Amelia and Hermione enjoyed reading muggle novels together and had lately been discussing a fascinating historical fiction novel by muggle author Sarah Waters.

Hermione sat comfortably on a couch facing a large window that afforded an excellent view of the land surrounding the manor as she put together some notes for her presentation about her final project. Following in her mother's footsteps, she decided to base her final project on developing a reunification program for children and young adults separated from their biological families on the basis of discriminatory laws. It was through this program that Hermione finally had a proper chance to meet her cousin, Susan Bones, who had been unable to spend much time with her aunt since she was very little.

As the day grew late, Hermione yawned and looked out at the setting sun. Amelia had joined her and brought snacks and tea. Meanwhile. Minerva was at Hogwarts, urgently helping with child custody and reunification cases among Hogwarts students. While they were not great in number, dozens of students had been affected by being separated by one or both parents while many more were just learning about cousins and relatives they didn't know they had, as was the case for Hermione and Susan.

Amelia sat down beside Hermione and her young daughter and protégé inched closer to her mother. Gingerly, Hermione rested her head on Amelia's shoulder and sighed.

"Minerva and I are bad examples for you. You shouldn't be working such long hours over the summer. I know that this is important for you, for all of us, but your friends owled you this morning from the Burrow and you hardly even glanced at their letters." Amelia didn't want to chastise her daughter as she knew the presentation was days away, but she didn't like to see her so stressed when she would be back at Hogwarts with a full course load in no time.

"I know, I just want to show the department heads and ministry officials who come to the student summer showcase why this is so important not just for us but so many families. And I was going to write Ginny, Ron, and Harry back this evening because I knew they were going to a Quidditch game this afternoon and Molly would end up with a lot of parchment and an owl expecting some of Ron's secret stash of treats," Hermione explained.

After a brief pause, she continued, "I don't know how best to say this, but I put so much into this project because it's been our way of getting to know each other and stay connected. Just a few months ago we were complete strangers and now" Hermione gestured towards the piles of paper on the table in front of her "you're my mentor, you're definitely someone I am close to. You're my mother. If this all in some way can be a way to thank you for everything you've done for me…to show you how much I've come to love you, then it will all have been worth it."

"Oh Hermione, you never cease to amaze me." Amelia pulled Hermione close and closed her eyes as tears welled up in them. "I love you so much. I always have, but to know you has been the greatest gift I could ever have in this life."

"When I asked Minerva about you, I had absolutely no idea who my other parent could be. I asked if she could tell me about my 'father' and she said that she loves him...erm...her and that my father loves me very much. It felt like a fantasy at the time, that this person I never remember meeting could already care about me, could be hurting from not being part of my life. I never knew in that moment that I would meet you so soon afterwards." Hermione grinned up at Amelia.

"Well I can't say I'm exactly like the 'father' you may have imagined, but I'm glad this worked out. That being said, you need to know that the reunions happening now and in the future may not always be so happy. Not everyone will be as lucky as you to be accepted with open arms by her adopted and biological parents. But we must do everything we can to make the world safer for them, and for all of the kids who one day may love someone of the same gender or anyone who may be ostracized because of their identity."

Hermione nodded. "I know, and I'm so sorry you and Min were separated for so long. I see the way she looks at you. You two love each other so much, I can only hope I find a love like that when I'm older."

"We did see each other from time to time, sneaking around really, but there were long months when we didn't and I felt very alone. I don't want you growing up too fast, not when I finally have you around again, but I know anyone would be lucky to have you as a partner, my intelligent and kind girl."

That evening Hermione didn't think her heart could be any more full as she did something that seemed so ordinary with the Grangers but absolutely extraordinary with her mothers. The three of them played a game of Scrabble after dinner and later snuggled together on the couch to watch a movie.

"Min?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, dear?"

"I told Amelia already but it's only fair to tell you as well."

"Oh? And what were you going to tell me?"

Hermione took a second to collect herself. "I want you to know that I love you very much, in case you couldn't tell." Being such intense and career and school oriented people, Hermione and her mothers were not the best when it came to expressing their feelings, but they made an effort for the people who matter.

Minerva looked Amelia in the eyes as she nodded back at her partner.

"I love you too dear, so much. I thought I could be content as your professor, but I see how much you have given me as a child, a dear, dear child of mine."

"Ours," Amelia added quietly.

"Ours" Minerva agreed.