Chapter 5

Alastair Moody quickly took two steps at once as he almost jumped up the stair, happily blowing a whistle on this fine September morning. He had slept well for a change and was now on his way to Albus for a "short meeting, combined with a longer breakfast" as he had called it in the letter Moody had received first thing in the morning after he had got up.

Alastair Moody was looking forward to have a little chat with Albus and Minerva - which he was told to bring along with him.

He had reached the chambers of the transfiguration mistress and head of Gryffindor house, knocked at the old wooden door but nothing happened.

He knocked again, more determined this time. Raising an eyebrow in surprise he wondered whether Minerva could be still asleep.

No, of course not. Minerva, who always went to bed at a reasonable time and raised with the dying of the moon or - if shew as late - with the frist rays of the sun, this Minerva was certaintaly not asleep anymore at 9 in the morning.

And now he could clearly make out a giggling behind the door. Pleased he was about to knock again when it stroked him.

- A giggle! -

While he spent the next 30 seconds wondering what on earth could make a Minerva McGonagall giggle, the door opened.

"Oh, Good morning Alastair. May I help you with anything?"

For a second he couldn't answer, still shocked about a Minerva with her hair down, carelessly dressed in a morning gown that revealed more than it was hiding.

The woman now suddenly noticed her strangeattire and pulled the gown tighter around her body, feeling slightly embarrassed.

Absent minded Moody tried to get some sense into all that when Minerva said

"Would you like to come in and have breakfast with me and Hermione?"

Hermione was here? Maybe he had just interrupted one of these women talks... but well, better he talked to Minerva inside of her chambers instead of here, where anyone could catch a glimpse of her...

"Sure Min, I haven't said hello to Mione anyway since I came back."

Minerva led him into the room next door where a fire chrackled and the inviting scent of caffe, tea, cake and toast filled the air.

"Mione, do you mind Alastair join us?"

Moody felt that he had indeed interrupted something and yet this was obviously not what he had expected. Hermione was sitting on the sofa, a cup of coffe in her hand - and:

She only wore her morning gown as well. Her hair messy, not wearing any make up - which gave her a very young and beautiful appearance.

Well, it didn't take Moody too long to realise what was going on. He cought a glimpse of the door ajaar on the opposite side of the room... the bed was not yet made and some kind of lace laid on the beedroom floor, now, was it difficult to guess?

Hermione flashed Moody a warm smile and put the cup down on a little table nearby.

"Alastair, now this is a pleasure! Come here."

She hugged him and he returned the heartful gesture, kissing her cheek.

"Hello Hermione. It is a pleasure indeed to see you again, such a long time since we last met."

Minerva leaned against the door, watching both while smiling from ear to ear, a bit uneasy maybe, thinking of how she could explain all this to Moody but at the same time she gave a utterly happy impression.

Moody blinked at her and reached for her to sit down.

"Min, before this becomes awkward for anyone... Am I right to think that you two are a cupple?"

Minerva seemed relieved that he had spared her an explanation, but nodded happily, taking Hermione's hand.

"Yes... yes, you are right. We are indeed."

Moody smiled warmly at both and replied truthfully

"I'm happy for you both, congratulation."

"Thank-you" both women answered at once and Hermione drew Minerva closer to give her a gentle yet deep kiss.

Moody smiled and looked away politely, gentleman that he was, but couldn't help thinking how beautiful the picture of these two women was.

Minerva melted into Hermione's embrace and they got a bit carried away, when suddenly Moody let hear a clearing of his throat and Minerva stopped her hands from roaming over Hermione's back in a quite demanding way.

She blushed.

"You must excuse, Alastair."

He laughed. "It's fine Min, we all have been in love before. I, too know how little one can control one's feelings when a beautiful woman such as Hermione is in your arms.

Both smiled again at each other but before they could melt into another kiss, Moody quickly said

"Umm... hold on a second, Min, I forgot that Albus awaits us for a little meeting."

Hermione smiled and stood up. "That was mykeyword I guess. I shall take a shower."

Getting her morning gown in some kind of order again, rearranging it around her body the best she could, she bent down to cup Minerva's face and kissed her softly on the lips

"I will see you later my love."

Minerva smiled dreamy at her before whispering something in Hermione's ear that made her receive another loving kiss.

She looked after her love until she had disappeared into the bathroom and then turned to Moody.

"When does Albus await us?"

He glanced at his watch and grinned "Actually - a quarter of an hour ago."

5 Minutes later Minerva was dressed, her hair in its usual bun and both were on the way to the headmaster's chambers. After a little silence Moody asked

"For how long have you two been a couple?"

"Oh, well..." Minerva felt a deep shade of red colour her cheeks when she thought back to last night, how Hermione had revealed her feelings to her, how they talked about the first time they felt something for each other and how they had made love over and over again until they had both fallen asleep in each other's arms.

Moody could almost read Minerva's thoughts and waved his hand, grinning.

"Aw well, don't say a word Min, I can guess."

to be continued