So I had a pretty shit day at work so you're getting the update a day early, lucky you. I may even update tomorrow as I've finished this story (another 10ish chapters to go) if i get enough reviews :)
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I'm roused from my sleep by the slamming of a door. I quickly get out of bed to find out what's going on. As Hugos door is open I have to assume that the one abusing the woodwork was Rose. I knock quietly and open the door
"Rose, what's happened? What's wrong" I question as she is face down on the bed, great heaving sobs shaking her little frame. I sit on the edge of the bed and reach out for her and she flings herself in my lap "Minerva's leaving Hogwarts, she's leaving us, just like daddy did" she wails. I rock her back and forth and rub my hand across her back.
"She isn't leaving you sweetheart" I murmur "just the castle."
"But she said she was leaving to be in her Manor in the Highlands, that sounds far away Mom, she can't leave us" she cries.
I chuckle lightly, "Sweetie, Hogwarts is in Scotland, you know that right?" She gives me a nod, and I wipe the tears from her face, "well the highlands is also in Scotland just further North than here" I watch her face calm down as she takes that information in. "So she's not leaving to some foreign land where we'll never see her again?"
"No, Rose. Your imagination has made this a much bigger deal than it is" I say as I continue to rub her back. "What do you say we go back into the office and have breakfast and we can discuss this there hmm?"
"OK" she says and leaps off me and heads to the door.
I shake my head at the absurdity of the situation. I'm not sure I understand her reaction to this news, or how she found out. I stand and make my way into the office.
Minerva has already gotten Hugo some breakfast, his face also looks tear stained, and Rose is sitting in her chair not looking at Minerva.
I make my way to Hugo, to give him a morning hug and make sure he's Okay and then look over at Minerva, I raise an eyebrow
"I'm sorry Hermione, I was explaining to Rose that I was dealing with the last of the paperwork regarding Hogwarts business as it wasn't going to be my problem after today and then I don't really know what happened" she murmurs. "Hugo, overheard and he also got upset, and as I was consoling him Rose stormed off, I didn't mean to disturb your sleep" she looks at me apologetically.
I sit at the table and grab some toast from the selection and indicate that she should join us.
"Rose thought that you were also leaving us, although how she came to that conclusion I am yet to decipher" I inform her, and look over at Rose.
She begins to squirm in her seat and is looking down at the cereal she hasn't touched yet. "I had a dream last night" she begins "Hugo, Minerva and you were in it, Mom, and we were together and happy and it was just so nice, then when I heard Minerva say she was leaving it shattered my dream" she looks up at me, and over at Minerva "I just want to be happy again" she says desolately with tears falling slowly down her cheeks. I reach over and take her hand in mine. There are tears in my eyes too "We will be sweet pea. I promise. It's just going to take a little time to get over the loss of your father, but someday soon, the hurt will lessen and you will be able to be happy again." I squeeze her hand and pass her the milk jug so she can add it to her cereal.
I look over at Minerva, she looks shell shocked, she's looking at Rose like she's never seen her before.
"Merlin, I'm sorry Rose." She breathes. "I hadn't realised I meant that much to you. But as I tried to explain to you, you are more than welcome at my Manor, anytime. All of you" she finishes looking at me. I can see the sincerity in her eyes and I give her a smile.
"I'm sure we would love to visit, wouldn't we kids?" I ask
Hugo nods his head vigorously as his mouth is full of toast, he's so like Ron it breaks my heart a little. Rose nods her head, but smiles over at Minerva "When can we go?' She asks
"Rose, you can't ask that, now be quiet and eat your breakfast" I admonish her. Honestly if one could die from embarrassment I would be dead right now.
Minerva looks over at me, "I have a meeting later this afternoon with the prophet, and then I had planned on packing up my things" she informs me. "I'm afraid I can't leave you here whilst I'm off the premises, but you would be more than welcome to join me again this evening, and we can floo over together?" she offers.
The kids' eyes light up at the suggestion.
"Please Mom" they beg. I weigh up my choices, take the kids back to my parents for the next few days, and have them angry with me, or take Minerva up on her offer, get to visit her home and spend some more quality time together. Seems like a no brainer to me.
"If you're sure we won't be imposing on you, more than we have already, then we would love to visit your home with you" I declare.
"Yes, woohoo" Rose and Hugo cheer.
Minerva just smiles at me, and I see a wealth of emotion in her eyes. We stare at each other for the longest time, smiling giddily at each other like a couple of teenagers.
"Right, kids, go and get changed, we're going back to grandma and grandpas to pick up our things, and to take the car back to the flat" I announce once the kids have finished their breakfasts. They rush off to go and do as I asked. Which leaves me alone with Minerva.
"My meeting with the prophet is at 3. It should take no longer than a few hours." She informs me. "I'll be back here then, packing away my belongings" she looks around wistfully. "You are welcome to come back anytime you like after 6 just to be on the safe side, and then we'll take the floo to my home" she's looking at me, and I can feel the love wrapping itself around me.
I walk over to her, and place my hands on her hips and pull her towards me.
"Thank you, for giving my children something to look forward to, and for giving me a glimpse of what my future may hold" I move my hand up to cup her cheek and rub my thumb over her lips. Her eyes close and she breathes slowly. She starts to lean down towards me, I close my eyes in anticipation of the kiss I know is coming when
"Mom, Hugos being mean to me" Rose announces as she reenters the room.
We don't let go of each other, but we do both sigh and promise each other that we will talk about what's going on between us soon. She steps back and breaks the spell we seemed to be under. I feel the loss of her body acutely and I really want to feel her close to me again. I give her one last lingering look and then turn to deal with Rose and Hugo. Why couldn't you have entered 5 minutes later Rose I think, rueing my luck.
I help the kids finish getting ready to leave, and we make our way back to Minerva's office. Minerva is taking a letter from an owl as we enter.
"I'll walk you down to the gates, if you can give me a moment?" she asks. I nod my approval and gather the children round me. Minerva gives the owl a treat and it flies through the open window behind her desk. She places the letter in her pocket and then says "shall we" and waves her arm towards the door.
The kids run off ahead of us, as we make our way through the halls and out into the grounds. There's a comfortable silence between us. She opens the gates and the kids and I step through, ready to apparate to my parents.
"Bye Minerva" the kids say in unison and give her one last hug "we'll see you later"
"You certainly will, my wee bairns" she affirms.
"Until tonight then" I say breathlessly
"Until tonight, love" she repeats huskily.
I grab hold of the kids and turn on the spot.
We appear in the copse of trees at the park. I make sure the coast is clear and then let the kids run ahead. Now that I'm alone, I can think back to that moment in Minerva's office, feeling her breath on my thumb, seeing her eyes close in surrender to the feelings she must have been trying to hide. I wanted the kiss. I can't deny it any more. And even as I admit it to myself, a tendril of guilt sweeps over me. What would have happened if Rose hadn't disturbed us? Was Ron right to have asked Minerva to keep her distance, could he see what I can plainly feel now? That I could so easily fall in love with her, even though I'm grieving and am only recently a widow, the feelings she brings out in me, with just a look or a touch is like a fire to my soul. I have much to think about in the next few hours until we are reunited once again.
I hope you are continuing to enjoy my little foray into the magical world J K Rowling created.