A/N: I don't anticipate having much writing time for the next month or two. Note that this will not be a traditional romantic pairing between Hermione and Minerva, but there will be an eventual relationship explained in a future chapter.

Sixth Year

The next week, Hermione was a bit quieter in class than usual. It was a combination of being lost in thought and not wanting to provoke the gossiping Slytherins. Ron was still very much smitten with Lavender and Harry was anxious to learn more from Dumbledore as he began unraveling the mysteries of Tom Riddle. Nevertheless, Hermione felt relieved to no longer be as preoccupied with teenage drama. She would do what suited her, no matter the public opinion.

Hermione stopped by the library and read a few of the somewhat outdated books they had about LGBT+ muggle history intended for muggle studies students and those curious about their own proclivities. For as awkward as the Hogwarts version of health class was with Madam Pomfrey and her colleagues from Saint Mungo's, they had at least expressed acceptance of students' different gender expressions and sexualities. In fact, the only thing they hadn't quite discussed was what to do when a young woman didn't feel any romantic or sexual urges towards others. Were there words for such a thing or could she simply consider herself a late bloomer?

She went to lunch with more questions than answers, feeling neither straight nor gay despite being sure about her gender as a female. Ginny was in a good mood to talk about some drama about a few muggle actors all of the young witches seemed to like, and Hermione was happy to take her mind off of her troubles.

Soon enough, she was off to Professor McGonagall's office for the promised tea and company.

"Miss Granger, please come in. So good to spend some time with you this afternoon."

Minerva beckoned Hermione to enter and offered an arm by way of giving her a side hug. Hermione happily accepted the brief hug and sat down on the couch to a cozy display of green tea and some treats.

"Now I know you must be tired of studying for exams, but I would love to hear your thoughts on the latest article in Transfiguration Weekly. I remember you had expressed some doubts about it when I mentioned that particular theory in class." Minerva offered a topic to start their conversation and Hermione happily obliged.

They spoke for a few minutes and Minerva explained a few finer points of material to floral transfigurations that they hadn't gotten to in class.

Hermione said something in response to Minerva's question then unexpectedly trailed off. Her heart wasn't in it. Here she was, happy to learn more from her favorite mentor, but she just couldn't seem to focus because she so desperately wanted to talk to her about something else.

Thankfully, Minerva seemed to clue in that that was the case, graciously changing the subject without making Hermione feel bad when the conversation slowed.

"Do you have any plans for the summer?" Minerva asked

"Erm…nothing more than going home to see my parents. It depends, I know Harry and Ron might need me. Harry has been spending more time with Professor Dumbledore and I'm worried something bigger is at stake when it comes to dealing with a certain dark wizard." Hermione answered, taking a bite out of a sugar cookie before adding, "What about you? I hope you do something a little more exciting than staying at Hogwarts."

"I can't say I'm privy to what Professor Dumbledore might be asking of Harry, but I do hope you all stay safe. It's a shame what has been happening these past few years, it's far too familiar for me."

Hermione looked down at her feet, "I don't know either, I'm a bit worried about it to be honest."

Minerva nodded, "I understand, I will do everything I can to prepare you and keep an eye out for you, all of you. And I trust you won't go telling your classmates that your professor will be spending her summer between Hogwarts and her ancestral home. It's hardly a getaway, but it suits me. I have some research I've been meaning to catch up on and several transfiguration journals have been asking for months if I would contribute something, so that's the plan."

"It sounds quite nice. I can't say I will be taking any getaways myself, although I am fond of spending time at the lake with my dad." Hermione responded.

"Professor…about our last conversation at the Astronomy Tower. I really appreciate your advice about being myself and not focusing on relationships, I really do. I'm just, well I'm a bit uncertain about the rest of it. You see, I've never really seen myself as being interested in pursuing any sort of romantic relationship. I know the wizarding world is more welcoming to differences, but I feel more different than most other people and I'm ok with that. A year ago, when we first talked about sex ed stuff, I wanted nothing more than to say I'm gay or some part of the LGBT community. But I don't like anyone, I can't call myself anything. I feel like, at least that part of me is nothing. I don't want to be anything different, though…I'm sorry, I'm going on and this teenage existential crisis certainly must bore you."

Minerva placed her hand gently on Hermione's forearm as reassurance.

"Hermione, I know all too well what that must be like. You are not nothing, you are so full of potential and possibility I'm afraid it all might brim over." Minerva beamed at her young pupil, hoping to provide some needed comfort.

"My dear, not everyone will experience attraction in their lives and not everyone will have a partner, whether by choice or circumstance. Please don't feel anything less than simply because you aren't running the castle letting your hormones guide you. I for one am relieved I have one fewer student to worry about in that department."

"But professor, I feel like I should want these things. I envision…when I envision my future I see a woman could be by my side some years down the road, but I don't see myself loving her like someone would love a wife. If I feel so sure of myself, why am I so confused?"

"Because you're suffering from a bad case of 'shoulds' and 'supposed to's, dear. It's all too common at your age, although most teens feel that way about other things in life. If I may, I too don't quite see myself as being in any sort of relationship despite having briefly been married a work colleague of mine for a few years until his untimely death. I didn't love him like a wife should and I suppose I feel a bit bad about that. He was a good man." Minerva sighed, remembering her brief marriage to Elphistone Urquart.

"I'm sorry for your loss, professor. You're right, but will it go away? Do other people go through life not really wanting a normal relationship, not wanting to sleep with anyone?" Hermione asked, a bit embarrassed with her own frankness, but she needed to be honest.

"I'm afraid so, and I suppose I should count myself among those without 'normal relationships'. I don't know how many people there are like that or even what one would call them, in fact, but I do know you aren't alone."

Hermione smiled at her professor's revelation that she felt similarly, "Thank you, that alone makes me feel a lot better."

With that, they continued catching up and enjoying each other's company until it was nearly dinner time and the pair parted.

Minerva offered Hermione a hug and she gladly accepted, tightly wrapping her arms around the older witch. She was content to stand there forever if she could. She adored her professor and felt safe talking with her. When she talked to Minerva, a hope bloomed within Hermione that she may never be quite like her peers, but she wasn't alone.