'Tomorrow I return you to the entire wizarding world… They would need their venerated leader... As for me, I'll have another memory to torment and console me through my days and nights… But I'll take tonight if that's all you could give…'

Hermione wrapped her arms tighter on Minerva and told herself that tomorrow is still not right now. She still has tonight… She still has Minerva.

Year 1999 | 2nd Seventh of May

Chapter 7

Day After | Second One Aftermath 1

Most of the time, people would gradually stir and dabble between dreams and wakefulness. But this particular morning, Hermione roused at once with full consciousness… Grave consciousness came down on her even before she had her eyes open… along with a certain sensation that can only be characterised as— pain…

Hermione did not physically jerk or bolt when she woke up but instantly her mind and heart started pouncing violently from the lost of Minerva in her arms— just as promised by daylight...

Hermione's eyes burned quickly by the gathering tears as she felt how she was left carefully tucked in sheets by Minerva; she could almost picture the attention of which the woman had employed.

'Did Minerva wish she had woken to tell her to stay?'

'Or was the woman relieved to not deal with such solicitude?'

Hermione shifted her body in attempt to chase any warmth left by Minerva but the cold space only pronounced the void that had begun gyrating within her. She buried her face and took a deep breath to collect herself but it only lead her to the woman's lingering scent blended with the carnal essence of their love making activities. It made her heart throbbed more wildly…

Hermione tried to get hold of the swirling emotions flicking to explode within her. She summoned her will with all her might to get moving… to shove the tears… to brave her reality.

Determined to fight the wretchedness and not get eaten in desolation, she decided to escape it via her usual way— plunge herself with work. On the way to the Ministry, she stopped for a large caffeine fuel and a sandwich and sent Harry an owl. She wrote to him how she intends to spend a couple of hours at the Ministry so he won't worry when he arrives at her flat and not find her there— considering the morning they shared yesterday...

During the early months after the war, Kingsley had the offices open even during weekends to cope with the general mending of Ministry affairs. Employees and even volunteers would be at the building to put in long hours to help put order into their distorted community. Eventually, the hardworking people had cut down as matters started settling down. But for Hermione, she never really abridged her work despite taking two masteries; in fact she had clocked in more hours than any staff in their department and completed more output, earning respect from her colleagues and proving she was more than having a golden brain.

Hermione was used to seeing couple of fellow employees even on Saturdays but today, she was not surprised to find the building seemingly deserted. Not when most employees if not all had attended the commemoration last night and she could guess how everyone partied too much. She expelled the thoughts of last night and dug herself with her work.

Typical of Hermione to be lost at her job with single-mindedness, morning turned noon turned afternoon. When she lifted her head, she noticed a paper plane message on her incoming tray that she did not notice when it came. When she stood to retrieve it, she groaned at the stiffness at her neck as she read the missive.

...

To: Hermione Granger

See me at my office when you have time to discuss your work at Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.

From: Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt

...

Hermione checked the time and was surprised to see that it was almost 5 in the afternoon. She knew that the received summon is most likely for Monday and that it only coincided of her being at her office right now. She figured there's nothing wrong if she'd check it on her way out, so she packed her stuff and headed to the Head Minister's office.

"Hi Gil. I received this." Hermione greeted Kingsley's chief of staff Gil Williams with the note on her hand.

"Merlin's beard Hermione!"

"Sorry, I didn't mean—"

"No, no, no…" Gil dismissed her apology also with a short wave and gave her a embarrassed smile. "I just didn't think anyone worked today… considering how late the party went on last night. Are you not hang-over or sleepy or tired like everybody else?"

Hermione shook her head once with a smile and answered him, "You're here Gil." She walked to him as he met her in the middle of the long corridor and watched him re-arranged the papers on his hands.

"I have to, the Minister had a meeting earlier with the governors that had been set by the Headmistress. Hangover or not, one does not cancel a meeting with Minerva McGonagall, right?

Hermione just kept her pasted smile on her face. Even though finding out that Minerva is at the office had made her short footed, and torn between wanting and not wanting to see the woman. She started to back out and told Gil that she supposed the message was for Monday since the Minister is occupied and that she'll just return by then.

"No, he's free already. They left, the meeting ended quarter-hour ago. I think he's just finishing few correspondences. He even bid me to leave." Gil responded and shrugged his shoulders as he added, "Though it's up to you if you want to just come back on Monday, but you're here already."

Hermione knew that she has time before Harry and Ron would be at her flat to fetch her. She decided that it'd be logical to see Kingsley now; the Minister is available anyway. She told Gil and the wizard told her to just go in and then bid her goodbye; muttering that his wife would hex him if he fails to be home before seven and that he still has a package to pick up at Diagon Alley.

She wished him good luck to beat 7pm for a 'hex-less' night and they both chuckled. The wizard is Hufflepuff who graduated Hogwarts about 5 years before she arrived there. She met him last year when Kingsley gave him the job and he was the one who arranged her NEWTS after she was allowed to take it ahead of others. She always liked the fact that the wizard is almost as tough looking as Kingsley but ironically so devoted to his wife that she could make him haste like no other. When she reached Kingsley's office, she knocked twice before she heard a come in, pushed open the door and stepped in.

"Sir, good afternoon you asked—"

The Minister is not alone.

"Hermione, what are you doing here?"

She heard the Minister's question, and inwardly got hold of herself to come up with a response upon seeing Minerva McGonagall. The woman is almost— just almost as surprised as her, but way better at recovery.

"Um, good afternoon Headmistress." She managed a greeting and then she forcefully planted her gaze at the wizard and not at the emerald eyed witch elegantly sitting at one armchair. "Sir, you asked to see me?" Hermione unsurely answered and raised the small note. "But I apologize for the interruption. I'll just—"

"Yes, I do. I want to discuss something with you. I just didn't expect that you be here. I wouldn't if not for my utmost dislike of the Headmistress' ire if I don't show up at our meeting." Then Kingsley laughing added, "On second thought, the governors were so agreeable earlier, did you count on that Minerva? Them too sleepy and too tired that they just agreed with you? And Merlin how come you seemed to be the only two who do not have a problem getting up today to work?"

'Bloody hell if you only knew Kingsley', Hermione thought.

"I'm not the one unavailable next Saturday Kingsley," Quite irritated tone from Minerva sounded off. Hermione could not resist but drew her eyes towards the woman.

"Minerva, should I reschedule asking Hestia…?"

"I apologise, the intent is not such…" Hermione watched the woman gracefully stood up and told Kingsley, "Do send me the revised manifest early next week. I promise to send back with the final review the day after... I'll leave you with your meeting." Then turned to her, "Miss Granger— good afternoon as well."

"Minerva wait, would you lend me few more minutes of your time? I actually need your opinion on this."

Hermione watched the woman raised her eyebrow at the Minister's words. And watched the wizard raised his hands in light-hearted yield with a short laugh at the older woman's obvious mock at his words of solicitation.

"Yes Headmistress, if you'd be so kind to give your opinion and actually help me with your influence."

This time Hermione forehead creased at Kingsley's words. Opinion on what? Opinion about her? Influence to whom? Influence on her?

Before any of them say something next, a knock stole their attention. She turned to direct her gaze at the door and instantly felt Minerva's gaze on her back. She just knew that behind the woman's walls that she had seen currently worn by the Headmistress, these green eyes are surveying her stance with intensity. She tried her damnest to show unconcerned pose but a fleeting inane thought attacked her of how she would love to feel the woman hug her from behind—in public, like at the Minister's office. The mad wishful thinking nearly let out a miserable laugh from her lips.

The knock repeated and thankfully stole back her thought. She heard Kingsley grant entry to whomever at the door and her mouth curved into a smile when she saw who had arrived.

"Harry, come in! I don't believe you've managed to work today? Not with how you were drinking and dancing last night." Kingsley addressed Harry good-naturedly.

"Hello everyone. I'm just fetching Hermione to make sure she shows up at our dinner date. I bumped into Gil and told me that I'll find her here. And nope Sir, I was downright incompetent to comb my hair earlier, let alone do work."

Harry kissed her on the check, moved and kissed Minerva on her cheek, shook hands with Kingsley, and then moved back beside Minerva and took one elegant hand into his. "I didn't get the chance to thank and bid you good bye last night. You vanished; Filius said the wards signaled him that you left Hogwarts."

"How many bottles did you wipe me out Harry? I warned you of the liquor's enticement and its— effects. I can see how you fell into its trap."

Hermione took note of Minerva's gloss disregard of Harry's remarks on her leaving Hogwarts. She was thinking of how veteran the woman is at diversion but then her thoughts were stolen by the short deep chuckles of the witch at Harry's mock guilty expression... The less than 24 hours period from exclusively having the woman is not helping Hermione to block the flutter that spiked through her spine. She commanded herself to not be the besotted fool that she is and pressed her brain to properly function and turned her concern to her best friend.

"Are you alright Harry? You could have owled that we cancel dinner."

"I'm fine Mione. Thankfully, Ginny had been patiently handling me sober-up potions, it finally kicked in." Harry told her and then turned back to Minerva. "You could have warned me better how traitorous your whisky is. Though Hermione did tell me how it might not be good for me. But you know, some things should not be missed-out, despite the guaranteed headache!"

"I agree Harry, it would be a pity to miss Minerva's excellent whisky! But everyone introduced to them had fallen as unsuspecting victims one way or another. The incredibly smooth alcohol taste is as deadly as the owner." Kingsley laughingly stated. Then turned to her, "You should try it Hermione."

'Oh I did have a taste of the deadly owner and she had a taste of me.'

The dirty thoughts that ran through Hermione's mind had herself biting the inside of her check. She needed to lower her head lest be read thoroughly by emerald eyes. She forced a noncommittally nod and then ushered their conversation back to official Ministry matters with all her might. She started to say how she would just report back on Monday for the meeting. But Kingsley shut down her intent.

"Could you spare about 15 minutes?" Kingsley spoke, "I'd like to talk to you now so you can already have tomorrow to think about what I'm going to discuss that would be needing your answer."

"I'll step outside—"

"No Harry, stay put." Kingsley interrupted, "I think it would help if you're also here for your opinion. Lets sit down please."

Apparently her boss wants to have the meeting now— about her— where Minerva and Harry's presence matter… She sighed silently and headed to take the seat farthest from Minerva with subtlety.

"Mr. Gregory Bennette talked to me about a month ago." Kingsley started and paused to make sure that he has her attention.

The named wizard is the Department Head at the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, and Hermione's boss since she joined the Ministry. Immediately she worried that it has something to do with her performance as the quiet old man never really talked to her more than few exchange of work-related information. Her brows knitted as she cracked her brain of any possible lapses she had committed. Then she was very much surprised with the succeeding statements from Kingsley.

"He is leaving the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures for retirement. He is targeting by end of the year or early next. He recommended you Hermione to replace him. He asked me again last night to start talking to you about it. He knows how you would eventually apply for transfer to MLE once you gained your level 3 masteries, so he wants to take advantage of the timing. He said, 'why not have the Regulation Department benefits from your brilliance until then'. What do you think?"

Hermione was not sure how she had shaken her head in an almost animated gesture to make clear of what Kingsley just said. But knew that she did so. And not only that, the unexpected information had her ability to form a sentence suspended.

Immediately she thought how her entry at the department was at first construed controversial as she was expected to be working at MLE right away with her NEWTs and Golden Trio stint. But the handful of employees at the Regulation and Control are actually great people who did not bother with the nonsense of it and in fact communicated to her how glad that she'll be part of the team. When Kingsley asked again of what she thinks about the offer, she honestly voiced out her foremost concern.

"Sir, may I remind you that I am not even a senior staff? And don't you think that there are good people at the Regulation who are more qualified to take the headship?"

"More senior than you, yes. Good people, yes. Qualified people, yes. But more qualified? Don't you think your boss would know? And I do agree with him. In just several months, you have showed what it takes." Kingsley answered then asked her, "Do you know why your department does not have a Deputy?"

"I thought it was due to the department's meagre size and so it does not warrant one. But it does limit the department's faculty that it misses to create avenue to achieve more."

"See, you're not the department head and you already recognised such." Kingsley exclaimed.

"Sir, it does not mean—"

"No Hermione, it means exactly that. Gregory had been very efficient as Department Head. He is wise to stick with his efficient ways lest commit missteps. But the wizard is wiser to recognise that much can be improved that will have a greater impact for our entire community especially at such period. He said it himself that your brilliance could start revamping the department's paradigm to get more things done before MLE steals you. He also believes that your young style would attract other youngsters to take posts at the Regulation and cultivate new generation of ideas."

Hermione thought how it seemed to be a given to his boss and the Minister himself how she would work at MLE one day. Truthfully, she would have accepted the initial MLE post offered by Kingsley had she opted to take a more relaxed pace for her masteries. But right from the start, even when she was just a student at Hogwarts, she has this ardent desire to be of caliber that Minerva could be proud of… Like she was in a hurry to qualify herself to be in Minerva's league…

"What do you both think?" Kingsley turned to the other occupants inside the room and Hermione intentionally directed them to olive eyes and not emerald ones. His best friend had an open smiling face, and encouraging eyes.

"We were just first year when I first heard you say that you can't wait to do something that would at least make the playing field fair for all. This is a clear opportunity Mione… But I know that there maybe other things you want to do, so I'd support 100% of whatever you decide on..."

"Harry! I was hoping you support the Minister." Kingsley pointed at himself and stated humorously, "And tell Hermione that she better accepts it."

"Sorry Sir, Hermione tells us what to do and not the other way around." Harry good-naturedly responded.

"Alright, alright! What do you say Headmistress? You know that both Gregory and I are not really making preposterous offer to Hermione. She has the intelligence and the work attitude for the headship and she can do a lot in that post."

Hermione also followed Kingsley's direction and found serious observing emeralds on her. Suddenly she longed for certain exclusivity with Minerva… and not the Headmistress in the room… she needed to talk and listen to the woman she had in her arms… like how they are whenever they shed their roles… like how they would share their thoughts and discuss them like they have been doing so all their lives….

"Gregory has always been a sensible person. But perhaps Kingsley you should address Ms. Granger's valid concern and tell her how it would entail." Minerva spoke without breaking eye contact with her brown ones.

Kingsley started telling her how Gregory plans to ease her in because although he was certain that no colleagues would object, he plans to make it as formal and evicts contention before hand. She heard Kingsley say how Gregory thinks that her current masteries plus excellent job since joining the department are sufficient basis. She heard him say something about going through deputizing but principally handling the reins for her to display her leadership before officially announcing her boss' retirement.

All the time that Kingsley was detailing how it'll be for her, Hermione also did not withdraw her gaze from Minerva. She had seen how the corner of the woman's lips posed for the slightest smile in the most undetectable manner… She understood what that small gesture communicated to her… It said: This is part of the whys darling… Part of the tangled complications between who we are…

She acknowledged the message and gave back a sad smile of her own; equally subtle as the one she had received from Minerva while Kingsley dominated the room with his continued discourse. When he stopped speaking, Hermione momentarily weighed in again what to say although she already knew what she wanted to say. Then she did abandon her hesitancy and spoke directly to Minerva to seek sanction.

"To continue next level for both fields would be impossible?"

"Not impossible. But—

"…Department headship would require more of my time—

"…As undoubtedly you'd lead it with full exertion—

"…If I truly intend to renovate the department and build—

"…A more inclusive society …"

"…Which after all is the ultimate objective…"

"…Or at the very least a noble effort…"

"But if I insist to continue with two fields…?"

"…You'd be lucky to afford 3 hours sleep a night for about two years or so. Then…

"…I'd be dead on my feet."

"Indeed…"

Hermione nodded at Minerva after the final word in their confined exchange. She thought of how she felt she needed to hear them from Minerva despite already coming to the same conclusion… That hearing from Minerva the challenges without slightest pretext made it not daunting but strangely assuring… And how fortifying it was for her to get Minerva's obvious support…

"Wow! Are you two always like that when you discuss transfiguration journals?" She was thrown back into reality and reminded that there are two wizards with them in the room with Harry's jab. Without breaking her gaze at Minerva, she responded to her best friend.

"Oh no Harry, I could never catch up with the Headmistress on her subject of expertise— on any subject actually…" Hermione let out a sincere smile and peculiarly felt at ease with the ongoing dialogue even with the fact that Harry and Kingsley are in the room.

"But Harry, I did tell her how it's just a matter of time that she'll have me falter with her brilliance…"

Minerva response sunk into Hermione's heart. Just a matter of time… Suddenly she wanted to crawl into the woman and say that what she is willing to wait for— to work for— to exchange everything— or accept anything— if they will lead her to where and when she could love Minerva freely and be loved back by the woman…

"Is my inference correct that when you accept the post, you'll discontinue your mastery in Charms?" Kingsley asked and it shook Hermione once again to the here and now.

"She'll discontinue Transfiguration." Harry answered for her.

Hermione was taken aback at how he had guessed correctly. Minerva slightly raised a brow at her and she reluctantly left emerald eyes for olive ones when she felt Harry's hand on hers. "You are better at charms." Harry told her pointedly then he turned to Minerva. "We love you Minerva and Hermione loves Transfiguration above all. But Hermione knows she is extremely incredible at charms."

It took Hermione all effort not to physically shudder at what Harry had said. Love—Minerva— Hermione—Above— All… Those words in one sentence spoken aloud, though in different arrangement, and obviously different context still brought Hermione wretched guts into chaos. She mentally cursed her best friend as she tried to come up to say something intelligent. But Kingsley beat her and thrown more fuel into the fire.

"Aren't you Gryffindors mostly known for bravery to just go after what you want and what you most love despite logic?" Kingsley remarked, partly in serious curiosity and partly in amusement.

Bloody Kingsley!

"Most of us are. But Hermione is one of the rare Gryffindors who actually took Godric's equally valuable but less popular definition of courage."

Bloody, bloody Harry!

"And what might Godric Gryffindor meant about your kind of courage?" Kingsley asked her.

Bloody, bloody, bloody Kingsley!

"Sir…" Hermione intercepted and took hold of her facial expression, which she knew in furrowed lines before she continued. "I know it already sounded that I've given you a decision, but may I think about this for few days before we sit down on it again?"

"Of course Hermione. As much as I want you to accept the post, I do not want to force matters as they tend to only sabotage in the long run. After all, lets be upfront with how we do know you're bound to MLE and how you are expected to do a lot in there with your brilliance. I do not want to prematurely burn you out. So yes, lets not tangle things in haste if they shouldn't be."

Hermione nodded in thanks and automatically shifted again to Minerva. But she found the woman certainly back behind her walls— with her Headmistress persona full in place. She internally sighed as she already misses Minerva… She needs Minerva...

She heard their boss thank them for their time as they got up to initiate their leave. She heard him tell the Headmistress about the manifest that he'll send soonest and thanked the woman too for her ever support. He said that he will be leaving shortly as well, and mumbled that he needed to pick up his mother's ring at Gringgotts.

Hermione quick brain connected three interval phrases: unavailable next Saturday, asking Hestia, and mother's ring.

Did she just learn that Kingsley would be proposing to Hestia Jones possibly next Saturday? Her face must have shown exactly what she had deduced because Minerva observing eyes withdrawn some of its walls. Then emeralds went to Kingsley and came back to her; the gesture plainly confirmed her supposition. Her surprised expression must be somewhat amusing that Minerva gave her a wink and she grinned in response. She could not believe how in synch her mind sometimes with Minerva's. But obviously Kingsley missed it, and so as Harry who moved towards the woman.

"Ron, Hermione and I are going to Muggle London for dinner. Would you like to join us?" Hermione heard Harry asked Kingsley and Minerva, and then turned and silently asked her, 'You don't mind right?'

"Thank you Harry but I have an appointment with Griphook." Kingsley answered then added, "But Minerva, you should join them."

"I have to go back to Hogwarts Harry. Thank you, but maybe some other time?"

"Hogwarts can afford your absence a little more, its Saturday after all. And I can bet that the students are too tired from last night's party to make riot tonight. Please have dinner with us. You have been more than your usual busy self the last 3-4 weeks that I have not talk to you lately…"

Harry's tone of mixed childishness and woe made Hermione look up at her best friend and studied him intently.

"Are you okay Harry?" Minerva quietly asked Harry, which Hermione caught nonetheless. Suddenly, she got worried about Harry and momentarily forgot her uneasiness about Minerva joining them for dinner.

"Yes, I just want to spend time with you and what better way than have you join the Golden Trio in Muggle London. So will you postpone returning to the castle for an hour or two?" Harry grinned but laced of sadness and hint of self-mockery did not escape Minerva nor Hermione.

Questioning emerald eyes turned to her and she understood that Minerva had conveyed that she knew they should not be having dinner together… that the interaction is similar to looping a rope around their necks… and yet had asked if they could tie the rope tighter and let her crash their dinner just this once… for Harry…

Hermione realised that while Harry had made sure to check on her the last couple of weeks, she had not paid as much attention to him in return. She wanted to smack herself for her self-absorption. Of course Harry ever-noble heart would have been visited by massive guilt around this time with all these sorts of anniversary for a lot of unhappy things. That's why Harry had moved their dinner date today instead of their usual schedule of last Saturday of month…

"Join us for dinner please." She heard herself say to Minerva and immediately witnessed Harry's elated face as she felt the pull of the figurative rope around their necks and strangled themselves….

End of Chapter 7 | Year 1999 | The Second Aftermath Part 1

A/N:

Do you have mornings when you can't decide whether to cherish or curse your actions of previous nights?

- Gil Williams (Kingsley's chief of staff) and Gregory Bennette (Hermione's direct boss) are creations of mine.

- Once again, HP is JK's and I am just borrowing and spinning them into my liking.