Christmas Day part one
As Christmas Morning dawned, the house was quiet except for the kitchen, where Alexie was hard at work on the Christmas Lunch. It had been years since his mistress had called on him to create a Christmas meal. He was basking in the challenge. He adored his mistress and her beau and wanted to make sure that everything was perfect for them.
He'd overheard their conversation last evening about trying for a bairn, he wasn't a nosy house elf, no he wasn't, he happened to be stoking the fire in their room and the door had been open to the bathroom and their conversation had echoed down the hall to his ears.
He hadn't stopped smiling since he'd heard. An heir to the Mcgonagall throne, finally. His mistress had been so lonely most of her life, Alexie did what he could for her of course, but since Miss Hermione had come to stay, his mistress was so much happier. He wholly approved of their joining. Although what Mr Mcgoangall would say about a bairn born out of wedlock made Alexie's ears droop. He was just putting the finishing touches to a present he had gotten from his hiding place when he heard movement upstairs.
Yes he must put this right before the name was cursed forever. With a click of his fingers the present disappeared from the kitchen and appeared on the bedside table of Minerva. He hoped he hadn't overstepped.
—
As Minerva padded back into the bedroom after using the facilities, scratching at her bum and rubbing her eye as she went, she noticed a little box on her bedside table. She was sure that hadn't been there the night before, and the presents they'd purchased for one another were waiting under the tree in the den. She sat on the edge of the bed and reached out for it. She could sense the elf magic waning, what had Alexie given her?
There was a little note on top of the box, Minerva opened it intrigued.
Mistress
I found this out for you, please consider giving this to Miss Hermione
More baffled than ever Minerva proceeded to open the small box. As the lid was lifted her breath left her. It was a ring. A ring that had adorned her great grandmother's hand once upon a time. As a young girl, whenever they visited Grandmother Mcgonagall her rings had always fascinated her, and this one in particular was the one that she always asked to see. It wasn't anything ornate, just a simple diamond encased in rubies, but the way the firelight had glinted off those rubies had caught her imagination as a child.
As tears filled her eyes, she looked over at the other side of the bed at the still slumbering beauty. Proposing had crossed her mind a few times in the last few months. But it was something they had never discussed, along with children but look at how that discussion ended. A bright smile covered her face. "Thank you Alexie" she whispered, knowing her elf would hear, they were that connected.
Hermione began to show signs of waking up, so Minerva pulled the top drawer open and placed the little box in there for the time being. She'd have to come up with something special, and quickly. She scooted back into bed and pulled Hermione's warm delectable body towards her.
"Good Morning, and Merry Christmas my darling" she whispered in her ear and placed a kiss on her cheek. Her hand, naturally, settled on Hermione's right breast, she squeezed ever so slightly and then let go. Holding Hermione in the early mornings had become one of Minerva's most favourite things to do. Just basking in her presence, feeling her buttocks against her front, her nipple hardening under her palm. Smelling Hermiones, unique fragrance as they spooned, lazily in bed on the weekends. It was like heaven. This didn't always lead to them making love, but it did always lead to them having a perfect day and helped their bond to grow.
"Hmm, good morning my love, Merry Christmas" Hermione uttered sleepily. She turned her head enough that Minerva could bestow a morning kiss. "I love you" Hermione stated sincerely once they seperated, her hand cupping Minerva's cheek.
"And I you, my darling, always" Minerva replied in kind, seeing the love Hermione professed in her gaze everyday.
"Shall we rise, and start our day?" she questions, even as they settle closer together in the centre of their bed.
"In a minute, I want to lie here with you for a moment, and appreciate how far we've come, how much my life has changed in the last year and a half, I'm a very lucky woman. It doesn't hurt to remind ones self of that every so often" Hermione responds by pulling Minerva's arm around her tighter, pulling them closer to her chest. She was feeling particularly vulnerable this morning, but she wasn't sure why. She needed to feel Minerva's presence, her love surrounding her, as it always had since they had decided to give their relationship a go.
"Take as long as you need, Hermione. I'm here" Minerva murmured as she placed a kiss on her shoulder blade. Hermione usually got like this when she was due her monthly cycle. Very needy, and clingy, and usually quite amorous the day before. So she was in for an interesting night.
The couple stayed cocooned within their bed sheets for another hour, dozing, kissing occasionally, but mainly being together,
Whilst Hermione had been dozing, Minerva was trying to think of how she was going to propose. It needed to be something tasteful but that would leave a lasting memory. She thought of a great idea, and couldn't wait to set it up, so flung the covers off their bodies.
"Hey, what did you do that for?" Hermione protested immediately, goose pimples arising all over her body as the cold air made itself known.
"Time to seize the day darling, come on, let's go down stairs and have breakfast. I'm sure Alexie has it warmed" Minerva responded invigorated by the chill. She leaned down, planted a swift kiss on Hermione's lips and then summoned their nightgowns.
She swept down the hall, tying the gown at her waist as she went down the stairs.
As she entered the dining room, plates were covered with cloches, waiting for their eventual arrival.
"Alexie" Minerva summoned.
A soft pop was heard and then "Yes Mistress" was uttered at her elbow.
After a quick peek over her shoulder to make sure Hermione wasn't in ear shot, Minerva knelt down to be on eye level with her faithful elf
"Thank you for the ring, it's as beautiful as it always was. I'm sure Hermione will love and admire it as much as I do."
"You's welcome Mistress, Alexie just wants you happy, and Miss Hermione does that" Alexie imparted with a grin on his his plan was coming together nicely. "Breakfast be waiting for you when you's ready" he informed, and then was gone.
As Minerva slowly got back to her feet, her knees protesting at being knelt down too long, Hermione entered the room. She ran her hand up Minerva's back in greeting and made her way to her seat.
"I'm famished, let's eat" she announced as she banished the cloches from the plates. Underneath was a traditional Scottish Breakfast for Minerva and an English Breakfast for Hermione, the one time she had tried haggis it had immediately come back up. Minerva had been very understanding about it as 'it's an acquired taste' and not many Scots liked it either.
They ate in a companionable silence, holding hands on the table.
Once finished with their food Minerva spoke up
"I thought it might be nice to go for a walk before we open our presents. Down into the local village and along to the loch. What do you think?" Minerva inquired of her companion.
"Whatever you want love, I'll go get changed" Hermione responded happily.
As she left the room, Alexie popped in to remove the plates and cutlery.
"Alexie?" Minerva asked
"Yes, Mistress?"
"I'm going to propose to Hermione on our walk, assuming it's good news I would like a bottle of champagne ready for our arrival home, if you could?" she asks a slight tremor in her voice.
"Of course, Mistress. Hermione won't deny you, the love you have is pure and true even a lowly house-elf can feel it" he tries to reassure his Mistress. His ears are wagging with joy at the prospect of his plan coming to fruition so soon. Of course a proposal doesn't mean they have a wedding soon after, hmm how can Alexie get them organising without them realising? He pops out of the room distractedly, bringing the dirty dishes with him. He sets them to washing, checks on the turkey in the oven and then gets planning again.
Meanwhile, upstairs.
"Best to wrap up warm darling, the Scottish Winters can be frightful" Minerva advises Hermione, as she enters the room, when she sees her choosing a thin jumper for their jaunt out.
"Hmm, Oh, I'm layering. This is the third thing I've put on. Next it's this" she informs as she holds up a fluffy, thick jumper, "and then my winter coat as opposed to my travel cloak"
Minerva nods her head in acceptance and goes over to her wardrobe to find her warmest jumper out.
"I'll meet you downstairs then love" Hermione says as she walks out the door.
Minerva had procrastinated enough, so she rushed over to the bedside table and removed the box from the drawer and slipped it into the back pocket of her muggle thermal pants.
She practically skipped down the stairs. She was that giddy, and grabbed her scarf and gloves.
Once they were both appointed correctly, Minerva held out her arm to Hermione in invitation.
Hermione obliged and slipped her arm through Minerva's as they left the house.
Snow was forecast for later in the afternoon, but for now it was windy and the chill was enough to take their breaths away.
They made their way, arm in arm, to the little muggle village in the valley, watching children try out the new Christmas gifts, some on bikes, some on skateboards and scooters. There was laughter in the air all around them. The village pub was lit up invitingly, trying to entice the brave folk who dared to wander out in the cold. A hot toddy or mulled wine on hand to warm them up from the couple didn't venture inside but they did hear the raucous laughter as the door opened to admit one of the locals.
"Sounds like they're having a lovely time" Hermione gushed, leaning her head on Minerva's shoulder as they rounded the bend to take them towards the loch.
Hermione had frequented the little pub whilst Minerva had been at Hogwarts, when she was feeling particularly lonely, and knew that Minerva wasn't going to be home. She loved to sit in the corner, with a book and a bowl of soup and some crusty bread and watch the villagers go about their business. It was so normal and muggle it helped Hermione to centre herself.
As they got further along the road to the loch the people lessened, and the air seemed to get even colder if that was possible.
Minerva pulled her scarf closer and tighter to her face, whilst Hermione moved closer to her so they could share what little body heat they had.
In the summer the couple would visit the loch, and have picnics, even go for a dip, and there was a particular spot that they had designated 'their spot' they always set up there. The locals that frequented the area with them always waved, some even stopped to chat. It was here that Minerva had decided to ask Hermione to marry her. It had become a special place to Minerva over the last year, thanks to Hermione.
As they neared, they watched a Robin bouncing across the grass, trying to find some sustenance. A squirrel running back up its tree with it's bounty safely ensconced in its cheeks, getting ready to hunker down for the rest of the month.
As they came to a stop, and looked over the loch, Minerva moved her hand to her back pocket nervously. It was difficult to remove the box with her gloves on and her fingers being so cold, but she managed it without dropping it.
She turned towards Hermione and took a moment to admire her beauty. Her hair windswept, her cheeks rosy, with a slight wetness there where the condensation from their breaths had settled. She truly was gorgeous.
"Hermione?" she gruffs, her throat constricted with nerves. As Hermione turns to her, a question in her gaze, she takes a deep breath and then,
"Hermione, my heart, I love you so much that it hurts. When we are apart you are always on my mind. I want to spend every waking moment with you, these last 18 months have shown me what I was missing from my life, and that was you." She slowly kneels down on one knee, holds the box out in front of her, the lid open so the light can glisten off the rubies, "Would you do me the honour of marrying me?" she waits with bated breath for Hermione's answer.
Hermione is shocked, she never expected Minerva to propose. Of course she'd daydreamed of their wedding day, Minerva waiting for her at the altar, their friends in the pews supporting them on their special day. Minerva's kilt and sporran in perfect place as she turns to face her, her eyes shining with tears as she takes in the Mcgonagall tartan artfully added to her dress, taking her hand and turning to face the minister to join their lives together forever,
"I" she begins, she can't get her mouth to form the words "Yes, of course" she manages to force out. A huge smile graces her face as Minerva rises to her full height, and removes the lovely ring from its box, she then removes her glove and places the ring on her finger. She kisses it and then pulls Hermione to her. They kiss, their tongues seeking the others, to seal their engagement.
"What do you say we go back home to celebrate?" Minerva asks, breathless, giggling, finally feeling like her life has meaning.
"Absolutely!" Hermione agrees. She takes a quick look around them, makes sure the coast is clear and apparates them back to their home.
—-
No sooner had his mistress and Miss Hermione walked out the door was Alexie scheming, organising invites, thinking about dates the wedding could take place on. Valentines would be ideal. Seven weeks was plenty of time to organise a wedding. Especially for a well organised elf and Alexie was the best.
As he checked on the turkey once more, and added the roast vegetables to the oven, he started to think about the flowers that Miss Hermione would hold. Scottish heather interspersed with lilac thistle and baby's breath, Mcgonagall tartan wrapped around the stems to run as a train in front of her dress.
He had to get these ideas written down before he forgot. He clicked his fingers and some parchment and a quill appeared on the table. It was a quick notes quill. He had far too much to do to write it all himself, so as he talked aloud and the quill wrote his thoughts down, he moved onto preparing the potatoes for the Christmas dinner he was preparing. Oh yes, his mistress was going to find him invaluable in the next few months.
—-
They appeared in the garden, right where they had had lunch when Hermione had confessed to her burgeoning feelings. They were both smiling, their hands clasped tightly together. Hermione kept staring down at her finger, watching as the light glinted off the rubies and diamond. She was going to be Minerva's wife. This thought made her giddy.
"This has been the best Christmas ever" she pronounced.
"It's not over yet darling" Minerva uttered as she bent down and swept Hermione off her feet.
"Min!" Hermione exclaimed, surprised, even as she put her arms around her neck.
"Getting some practice in, for when I get to carry you over the threshold Mrs Mcgonagall-Granger" she placed her gently down once they were in the hall, she held her close "I love you Hermione, thank you for agreeing to be my wife" she whispered as she leaned forward to give her fiancé a kiss.
The word fiancé reverberated through both their minds. Fiancé. They kissed once more and then made their way into the den, after removing their outer layers, and Hermione a layer or two, to sit in front of the fire, to watch the lights on the tree twinkle merrily, and open their presents.
As they were getting themselves comfortable, curled up on the sofa, a light blanket thrown over each of them, Alexie appeared with a pot of tea and the bottle of champagne Minerva had asked for.
"Congratulations" he grinned as he handed a glass, first to Hermione, so he could admire the ring on her finger. As he handed Minerva the other glass he continued "may you have many happy years together" and before either of them could respond he popped out of the room.
"Cheers" Hermione said, holding her glass out to Minerva so they could clink glasses, in a toast before taking a sip. Hermione wasn't a big drinker, but she could enjoy one glass, and this was the good stuff, it would be rude not to.
"Cheers" Minerva replied in kind. It didn't really matter what happened for the rest of the day, they were both exceedingly happy.
Presents were opened, chocolates consumed, a lovely portrait from Filius was admired by both. However he got the image Minerva would have to find out. She couldn't remember him being at this particular event. It looked like the latest ministry gala, Minerva had taken Hermione, naturally as her plus one, she had looked breathtaking in her floor length gown, that had a slit up the side to mid thigh. The deep blue of the dress brought out the natural glint in her eyes. The portrait depicted them moving towards one another, and reaching out to reunite after a short time away, whilst Minerva had wrangled with the head of the board of governors, and Hermione had been over to greet Harry and Ginerva. It finished with the pair leaning towards one another moving in for a kiss. The suspense and love and devotion that had been captured was surprising to both.
"I hadn't realised that we were that obvious in our affection for one another" Minerva whispered as her hand hovered over the portrait, as if trying to pull the essence from it as the scene started over again.
"I've always known when you enter a room I'm in, I feel your presence, your love for me. It surrounds me and makes me feel warm and giddy and safe" Hermione confesses. "You aren't embarrassed that your colleagues and friends have seen you like this are you?" She questions.
"Och, no. Don't be silly. Everyone else at the gala, sure" she chuckles. Minerva leans over to Hermione and pecks her lips.
"I could never regret or be embarrassed by our love for one another my darling. I just don't want to flaunt our relationship to the whole of wizarding Britain. What we have is between us, and is quite frankly none of their business. Besides, once we become Mrs and Mrs Mcgonagall-Granger, everyone will know that you and I belong together"
"Say it again" Hermione whispered huskily, stroking her hand down Minerva's face, pulling her closer.
"What?" Minerva asks, her eyebrows pulled together in confusion.
"The last part" Hermione murmurs against her lips.
"Mrs and Mrs Mcgonagall-Granger" Minerva barely gets out before Hermione is snogging her senseless.
Hermione is now sat astride Minerva, her knees either side of Minerva's thighs. Her hands massaging the back of her neck, her tongue invading her mouth. She's never been so turned on from a sentence before. Minerva's hands work their way under Hermione's top, and it's soon flung across the room. As Hermione's pert breasts are exposed to her, Minerva wastes little time latching her lips onto her nipples, swirling her tongue around the areola. Hermione holds her head to her and begins to undulate against her. "Please, Min" she whimpers.
Minerva works her hand between their bodies, until her hand is cupping Hermione's soaking panties.
"Merlin Hermione, you've soaked through" she gushes in wonder. She quickly pushes the offending article to the side and thrusts her fingers into Hermione's heat, her thumb presses down on the clit. Hermione keens loudly
"More, Min, please" she pants.
Minerva manages to squeeze another finger into Hermione's channel, and curls them in such a way that she can touch that little special spot, a few thrusts and a swipe of a thumb later and Hermione is moaning her release.
"Ahhhh, ohhhhh, Mmmm Merlin Minerva" groaned into her ear. Minerva keeps pumping, drawing out the orgasm for Hermione. Hearing her breath hitch as the tremors roll over her. Minerva gives one final thrust and then withdraws her fingers from their haven.
Hermione takes a moment to get her breath, and then she's sliding to the floor, she banishes Minerva's trousers and panties with a quick wave of her hand and then her tongue is on Minerva's centre. Swirling her tongue around her clit. Her tongue moves up and down Minerva's slit, gathering the wetness that has gathered.
"Hmmmmm" she hums. She focuses her tongue again on the clit and moves her hand down over Minerva's thighs, slowly. She feels a tremble through the leg and grins. She slips her fingers into Minerva.
When Hermione went down on Minerva the first time, there had been a lot of "what are you doings?" and "ahhhs" before she had silenced her. Minerva loved to be licked out. Especially by Hermione. And Hermione loved doing it too.
She begins a steady rhythm with her tongue, her fingers begin to pump in and out. She can feel Minerva tensing, trying to hold back her orgasm.
Hermione pulls back, just long enough to whisper "cum for me Min" before she is devouring her once more. Lapping up everything that Minerva has to give.
"Merlin, Hermione" she whispers as she holds Hermione's head between her thighs, and widens her legs a little wider. She thrusts once against that wicked tongue and then she's there. On the pinnacle. She willingly jumps over the edge, knowing that Hermione will be there to put her back together again.