Sept 26, 1998, 18:30
(Present)
Brushing an errant tear from her cheek, she couldn't remember the last time she had laughed so freely. Gah, that felt good. Feeling almost weightless, she turned back to Minerva and what she saw made her heart skip a beat. Her eyes were closed, head tilted toward the sun, a soft smile on her face, her usually tight bun loosened with ebony tendrils framing her cheek and curling around the back of her long neck. Looking not a day over forty, her expression was more open and serene than Hermione had ever seen. Merlin, she's beautiful. Seeming to sense her gaze, Minerva cracked an eye open in her direction and smiled wider, before turning to face her fully.
"Thank you, Hermione."
Opening her mouth to deflect, Hermione was silenced by a finger gently placed on her lips.
"I was having a terrible day and not only did you come to my rescue, but you also somehow managed to make me completely forget about it for a moment. So... thank you." Still smiling, with eyes full of fondness, she slowly dropped her hand.
Hermione's eyes watered as she beamed. "You are most welcome. I am so glad you are alright. I was so worried." She grabbed the witch in a tight hug. Minerva readily returned the embrace. "Aye, lass, I'm alright and so are you, thank Merlin. And as much as I'd love to spend more time with you in this rather enchanting wood, we need to ensure no one else has been compromised today."
"Yes, yes, of course." Stepping back, dropping her arms, and taking a deep breath before continuing, "I left Harry rather abruptly, but I would venture to guess that he's made some progress on that front since my departure, at least resetting the wards. Shall we return to Grimmauld Place?"
"I want to make one stop first. Wands away for now." Arm opening, awaiting Hermione to take hold. And with a crack, they vanished from the edge of Fairy Forest.
They appeared in front of a waist-high black gate that was tethered to crumbling stone on either side. Hermione glanced at Minerva, who seemed to be looking at something beyond the gate. Following her gaze, all she saw was rolling grassy hills dotted with the occasional gnarly oak. Intuiting that Minerva would share when she was ready, Hermione was content to just be, noticing that the chill breeze on her cheeks, ruffling the thick curls up and off her neck, offered a nice counterpoint to the heat exchange from their entwined arms and touching hips.
Minerva's eyes traced the regal and familiar structure of her childhood home. With the onset of sunset, the muggle natural gas lights had begun flickering on, lighting up the path to the entrance, just as they had done for the last 200 years. She hadn't shared this place with anyone in ages, yet given the circumstances, her desire to protect the witch on her arm far superseded any desire for privacy. Besides, how much would you really keep from her now, anyway? All she has to do is bat her eyelashes and ask, and all your carefully crafted wards come crumbling down like a house of muggle cards. She could almost hear Albus' voice from beyond the veil whispering, "It's about time, Tabby." Smiling at the thought, she took Hermione's hand and guided it to touch the gate under her own. The effect was immediate. Hermione gasped as McGonagall Manor came into her sight.
"This is my home." Taking another steadying breath as she removed her hand from atop Hermione's, she uttered the words she thought she'd never say again. "I want you to know the location of McGonagall Manor." Upon hearing the words, a warm tingling sensation crawled up Hermione's arm from where her hand still grasped the now impressive looking gate as the wards realigned to add her magical signature, binding her to the Manor's Fidelius charm. Minerva felt the shift as warmth spread across her chest. That's new. Gently rubbing the spot, she took a few steps back. "Take a moment and commit this place to memory so you may apparate here on your own at will." She watched as the young witch drank in the view before her, trying herself to see it with fresh eyes. And yet she found her eyes returning to watch how Hermione's wavy hair seemed to dance in the wind, the setting sun highlighting just how many different colours made up the wild mane. She looks good here, it suits her. At that moment, Hermione turned to meet her gaze, eyes swirling with emotion.
"Thank you, Minerva. It's absolutely lovely. I am truly honoured." Not able to think of words beyond that, she reached out for the security of Minerva's arm once more.
" You are most welcome, my dear. And I promise next time to give you a proper tour, but should you need to seek refuge here before then, the library is on the second floor, first door to the right."
Her words had the desired effect as Hermione once more threw her head back and released a hearty laugh that burned through the emotion-laden moment and left them both lighthearted and smiling for the second time that day.
"Before we leave, I want to introduce you to the keeper of the Manor, and I warn you, she is older than I and has no reverence for my position, as she has watched over me since I was a wee lass. And before you trouble yourself," she gently patted Hermione's hand where it rested in the crook of her arm, "the house-elves of the Manor are all free and have been employed by the McGonagalls for generations. We are all rather like family." She looked back towards the Manor and with a voice full of fondness, called "Elspeth!"
With a small pop, a rather large elf appeared dressed in tartan robes with a shock of red hair in a large curl between her ears. Big eyes roved over Minerva's tall form before taking measure of Hermione, eyes lingering at their entwined arms. Hermione felt herself blush under the open scrutiny.
"Aye, Minnie, I've been expectin yous. Felt you pull on the wards a bit ago. I cannae remember feeling anything like it since you got caught in that Acromantula web as a wee Bonnie lass! Remember that? Oy, yous always go looking for trouble! Yous hurt?" Without waiting for an answer, she addressed Hermione. "Is Minnie hurt? She wunnae tell me even if she was and yous don't look like the type to lie."
"Umm, no? I mean, no, ma'am, Minni-uh-Minerva is fine." Hermione managed while internally groaning at herself. Minnie? You were going to call her Minnie? Oh Merlin. And how the hell did she get stuck in a giant spider web? How did she get out? Seeing Hermione clearly flummoxed and likely still churning over the new information, Minerva chuckled and patted her hand again.
"No, Els, I'm not hurt, thanks to my dear friend here, Hermione Granger, who plucked me out from a web of sorts today right before I was about to call you." Her word choice was not lost on Hermione. She knows I inverted the portkey. Making eye contact and with a knowing smile, Minerva added, " Yes, I worked out how you found me, Hermione, and I am most impressed. That is a tricky bit of magic." Hermione beamed.
Turning back to Elspeth,"I apologise for causing you concern, dear, but as you can see, I'm just fine. I've just added Hermione to the wards and you may see her from time to time without me. We are having a spot of trouble within the Order, and I'd like Hermione to feel welcome here at any time." They stood staring at each other. Elspeth being the one now at a loss for words. When's the last time Minnie's brought someone here, let alone give them the run of the Manor? Nevers thats when. Shes must be very special to Minnie. And sounds like she saved my Minnie from a right-tight spot today.
Breaking eye contact, Elspeth came closer to Hermione and grasped her right hand, looking directly in the honey golden eyes. "Welcomes to McGonagall Manor, Miss Mione. Should you ever need me, alls you have to do is call." Eyes blinking back to Minerva, "Yous wants to come inside or are we all gunna just stand out here all evening?" Both Minerva and Hermione barked out a laugh at the cheeky elf.
"Next time, Els, we have to go sort out Order business. But could you be a dear and rustle up two bottles of the vermillion label malt?"
"Ooh, that bad is it?" Making to drop Hermione's hand, Hermione tightened her grip, causing the elf to look at her once more. "Thank you, Elspeth. I am looking forward to getting to know you better." Big eyes flicked back to Minerva. "Mes too, miss, me's too." Elspeth gave a gentle squeeze, then let go. "I gunna get that whisky, willny be but a moment." And with a soft pop, Elspeth vanished and returned not ten seconds later with a canvas tote, which Minerva took and then stooped down to give the elf a warm hug. "Thank you, Elspeth."
"I'lls be seeing yous, ye takes care of each other now, and if you needs me just call for Elspeth, ok?"
"Aye, we'll see you soon, dear Els."
Minerva opened her elbow to Hermione once more. "Wands at the ready, dear." And with a crack they appeared at the top step of Grimmauld place, the door already open, Harry Potter nearly knocking them over as his long arms pulled both witches into a tight hug. "Thank Merlin, you're both alright. We have a mole."
"Caught on to that finally, yeah? Good man." Hermione ruffled his hair with a teasing smile as she pushed past him. Minerva smiled at the familial display and before he could respond, she placed a hand on his shoulder. "Quite right, Potter. We do indeed have a problem. But before we dive in, be a dear and pull some tumblers with two cubes each. It's been a day, and I need a drink for this discussion." She pulled an expensive-looking bottle from within her robes. This level of even-keeled nonchalance was not what he was expecting. They even stopped to buy whisky?! But after taking a deep breath, he decided that if the two most magically skilled people he knew were not panicking, he might as well go along with it. "Uh ok, right, tumblers and ice, coming right up. Meet you in the kitchen, then."
