A/N: Hello all, I have in mind a few of you aren't getting emails but I guess you'll come looking when you don't see an email from me, knowing that I'm updating every single day at roughly the same time ;)

A few of you have asked - there will be no Minerva POV in this fic. Hermione ran the show. The fic is finished and aside from the odd little edits, it's done. So however you imagine Min is coping out of shot, is how it is :)

Lib McGranger is the bomb dot com. It's just that simple. I do admit that I have meddled with this a little since she looked at it, so all mistakes (as always) are my own.

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She'd stopped trying to make sense of anything as she stood side-by-side with Ginny and Luna battling Bellatrix LeStrange. The amount of magic in the air was terrifying, but she fought with all she had, amazed that nothing Bellatrix tried got anywhere close to them. It was bizarre.

Harry's death and then, she assumed, resurrection was so confusing that her brain refused to piece it together. He was nowhere that she could see, and they had absolutely searched for him as they battled their way over to Hagrid. Luna was pushed into her and she turned, steadying their friend as Bellatrix saw an opening.

"Crucio."

Hermione saw it coming and everything seemed to stop around her. Her breath caught as she realised what was about to happen but then, all at once, she felt no fear. Bellatrix should have scared her more than any other in the world, but as she remembered what she'd carved into her arm, Hermione only felt scorn. Bellatrix thought she could break Hermione and yet she was stronger than ever.

She watched, almost absently, as the spell stopped - mid-flight - and crashed into a shield. As she saw who had cast it, she grabbed Ginny and pulled her away, ignoring the protests. They all fell back as Molly stepped in front of them and started duelling Bellatrix with such fierce determination that Hermione saw Molly in a brand new light. They watched for a moment before Ginny disappeared into another skirmish and Luna sat at her feet breathing heavily. Hermione realised that Bellatrix had caused far more hurt to those she loved than even Voldemort had. Neville's parents? Sirius? Herself. She wondered at a world where one person could be so destructive. someone shouted close to her and she looked up. Bellatrix suddenly looked very worried as she fought off Molly's spells and Hermione felt a spark of something wonderful.

She could have revelled in it. She should have been vindictive. But Bellatrix wasn't even worth it in death. Instead, Hermione turned away and looked around the Great Hall. Everywhere she looked, there were allies duelling Death Eaters. And everywhere she looked, they all had the same look in their eyes.

The Death Eaters were afraid.

She looked up to where the Professor's table usually sat at the head of the Hall and gaped as she realised what she was seeing.

"Min -"

Her feet felt like lead as she watched Minerva, Kingsley and Professor Slughorn duelling Voldemort like nothing she had ever seen. Molly fighting Bellatrix was one thing, but these were serious magic users. Their movements seemed as coordinated as a dance they had been practising all their lives and yet none of them uttered words that weren't spells. What was more, though, was that they seemed to be winning. That confused her, even as she rejoiced in it.

Voldemort seemed to realise the same thing and started fighting harder. She watched Minerva closely and was buoyed by how unworried she looked. Minerva was not phased. She worked alongside Kingsley like they'd been working together for years and perhaps they had. Kingsley had been a member of the Order since the beginning, according to Harry's photo.

It was a sight to behold.

She realised she was standing in the middle of a battlefield and she helped Luna off to the side. They managed to tuck themselves out of the way while they caught their breath.

While Luna caught her breath - Hermione remained transfixed.

Minerva moved like the wind and Hermione soaked up every second of it. Not just as someone who had so much love for her, but as an example of the most powerful magic wielder that Hermione had ever seen. She took in every inch, cataloguing differences and similarities between the Minerva she'd relinquished so long ago, and this woman fighting for their freedom.

She wondered, absently, how many differences Minerva would find in her, once they were victorious.

Molly screamed triumphantly, drawing Hermione's focus back to her own nemesis. Bellatrix, who had been cackling viscously only seconds earlier, stopped and stared. Her mouth moved but she had no voice. She blinked at Molly like a fish, staring dumbly as Molly stood straight, her face full of scorn. Hermione left Luna and joined Molly, just as the Weasley matriarch breathed out a final curse and Bellatrix Lestrange was suddenly no more.

Hermione stared at Bellatrix's body. She seemed smaller, in death. Less, somehow. She wondered if she shouldn't feel more at the vanquishing of her enemy. Voldemort, though, was incensed. He yelled for Bellatrix and an explosion rocked the Hall when he realised she was dead. She gasped as Minerva, Kingsley and Slughorn were blasted from the stage and into the crowd that had done away with the majority of the remaining enemy.

She ran towards them, but Ron's arm around her middle stopped her.

"Enough," Harry said, appearing from the Invisibility Cloak not two feet from her. "Nobody help," he called, as a number of the Professors and his friends, including her and Ron, stepped forward. They faltered as he stepped onto the stage. "It has to be me," he smirked as he and Voldemort circled each other. "And it will be."

Hermione was enraptured by the information Harry was speaking into existence. All that he had learned from Snape's memories and all that he had pieced together since. Other things that she could not yet understand. She gasped as he revealed the true owner of the Elder Wand and as Voldemort attacked, she could already see the end.

The spells collided.

And then, the end? When it came? It was just as it should have been.

It was quiet and it was powerful and it was just over.

After a moment of stunned disbelief, the Great Hall erupted into cheers, Hermione just looked at Harry and smiled as she sagged against Ron. Someone grabbed her and pulled her into their arms and she laughed as Molly screeched into her ear. Ginny grinned at her from her place in Molly's other arm and they laughed at her excitement.

"It's so good to see you," Ginny cried, wriggling out of her mother's arms. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you," Hermione sighed into her shoulder.

Neville's strong arms wrapped around them and he danced them around in jubilation before his grandmother pulled him away, shouting about how proud she was of him. It made Hermione grin at how pink his ears had gone.

Ron found her again after he escaped his mother, and he swung her around with a laugh.

"You were so good," he grinned. "Just like we all knew you would be."

"What about you, Ron Weasley? You were amazing!" She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek softly. "Thank you for coming back," she whispered.

He blushed and nodded, nudging her forward.

A few of their classmates clapped her on the back as she reached the stage. Harry grinned at her and wrapped her up in his arms.

"I love you," Harry whispered in her ear. "I couldn't have done any of this without you."

"You could have," she muttered as she hugged him just as tightly. "It just would have taken you half as long without me slowing you down and you probably would have done it in all the wrong order. But you would have been fine."

He laughed as he pulled back and he saw Ginny running up to him.

"She's at the back of the Hall," he muttered, beaming at his love. "Looks like she's waiting for someone."

Hermione grinned at him and stepped back as Ginny threw herself into his arms and snogged him to wolf-whistles and cheers from those around them. Hermione stepped back off the stage and accepted the many congratulations and thanks as she made her way through the crowd. By the time she got to where she was sure Harry meant, Minerva was nowhere to be seen. She watched the laughter and happiness, and then she turned away and stepped outside.

There, standing between the burnt and battered Great Oak Doors, was Minerva McGonagall. At the same time that Hermione's eyes found her form, Minerva stilled and turned ever so slowly. Hermione's cheeks hurt as she smiled and their eyes met.

"Hi," she breathed. It was whispered, but Minerva's eyes danced when she heard it. She smiled as her eyes roamed over Hermione's form.

"Hello love," she grinned.

Hermione didn't think. She didn't care to wait and she was not interested in propriety. She ran to Minerva and threw herself into her arms. Minerva was ready and caught her tightly, swinging her around in the doorway.

"Oh, I have missed you so," Minerva laughed, pushing Hermione's hair from her face as they came to a rest.

"I missed you. So much. But I was with you," Hermione whispered, reaching up and tracing Minerva's face. "You were with me."

"Yes," Minerva breathed, her hand cupping Hermione's cheek. "Always."

She wasn't sure who moved first, but as their lips touched for the first time, Hermione realised that this was everything she wanted for the rest of time. She wanted the window seat and the library and the kitchen she'd probably never use. She wanted the quiet nights in the library and the soft touches as they brushed past each other. She wanted to be with this woman forever. For more years than was permitted to. She wanted an eternity to get lost in this woman's heart.

She moaned as Minerva's fingers slid into her hair and realised that she could do the same. She grinned as Minerva whispered her name on her lips, and tentatively touched her tongue to Minerva's bottom lip. She seemed to like that. Minerva groaned and then froze at the noise. Hermione laughed as Minerva tightened her hold and pulled her closer, leaning them against the doorframe. Before Hermione could speak again, Minerva leaned forward again and kissed her fiercely.

Overcome by so many feelings all at once, Hermione held her breath until she couldn't. She pulled away, breathing hard as Minerva kissed a path up to her ear.

"I have searched for this moment, all my life," she muttered, her brogue much more pronounced as she rumbled in Hermione's ear. "Searched for you, all my life."

"I'm here," Hermione gasped, so overwhelmed she could barely think. "I'm right here."

"You have always been here."

Hermione nodded and it was her, this time, that leaned in and captured Minerva's lips. She slid her arm around Minerva's waist and pulled her closer. Their bodies connected and Hermione's eyes fluttered at the new sensations. Minerva kissed her once more and then moved impossibly closer and drew Hermione's face into her neck.

"Oh Merlin, I'm so glad you're alright," she muttered as she nuzzled Hermione's shoulder. "I was so worried."

"I promised."

"You did," Minerva chuckled, pulling away and looking at her properly. Her eyes were bright and almost too wide. Hermione understood though; she felt the same way. "I did too."

"I know," Hermione beamed. She touched a bruise forming on Minerva's chin and frowned at the cut on her forehead. "You saved me though."

"You saved me," Minerva snorted. "From so many things."

"I -"

"Min?" Poppy's voice stopped them and Minerva stepped back. Hermione noticed that she never let go completely.

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry," she said quietly. "They're bringing them in."

Hermione gasped as she realised what that meant and looked around. There were bodies and blood and Merlin knew what else all around them and she groaned as her stomach rolled.

"It's alright," Minerva said, drawing her back into her body to shield her from the awfulness around them. "It's alright, love. But I need to go."

"I know," she nodded. "It's okay. That's what you do." Minerva gave her a look and Hermione chuckled. "You lead. You always have." Minerva kissed her, lingering against her lips before she stepped away. Hermione smiled sadly as Minerva was once again drawn back into The Great Hall. "Wait," Hermione called before Minerva could step inside. Minerva indulged her and stopped at the door. "I," Hermione grinned as she realised she could say what she wanted now. "I love you."

Minerva stepped away and took the few strides back to Hermione's side.

"And I, you. My love," Minerva breathed, cupping her cheek. She stayed for one more moment before she kissed Hermione's hair and returned to the business of winning a war.

Hermione followed and watched from the door as Minerva strode forward and ordered the troops into cleanup. She had a spring in her step that Hermione had never seen and when their eyes connected over their oblivious friends and allies, Minerva winked. Hermione blushed and hid her face just as Harry and Ron joined her at the door.

"I need," Harry muttered tiredly. "To tell you. Everything."

Hermione looked up and found Minerva's eyes again, fixed on them even as she spoke to someone else. She motioned with her head that they would be outside the hall and Minerva nodded in return. Someone stepped between them, breaking their contact, but it didn't matter. Hermione knew and Minerva knew, and that was enough for now. She was patient. She'd been patient for some years now. She could wait a little longer while they got on with the business of healing and putting their world right.

Eventually, she would cry and rage and feel something other than this sort of muted, grey, relief. But for now, she motioned for Harry to lead the way and they disappeared into the castle, quietly holding hands with each other, at the end of a journey that no one else could ever understand.