I don't know yet
"From beneath you, it devours."
Hermione sunk to her knees on the damp, mossy forest floor – sliding her hands down Minerva's robes – looking up at her with sad, yet pleading eyes.
"I am so sorry." She said with a tiny whimper.
Minerva bent down and pulled Hermione up to her feet. "The person you are angry with is not here, lamb – but your grief over this loss needed to come out, one way or another. And look…" With a wave of her hand, the bruises and blood vanished. "No harm done." She said. In Minerva's mind, however, she was worried for the woman before her. She was lashing out the way she had before – and Minerva knew that if it continued, something would have to be done. "Do not allow your grief to control your emotions…or your magic…"
"…or else we will all be doomed…" a deep voice said.
Minerva and Hermione turned their heads and faced a large, muscular, and graceful Centaur.
"Hello Bane." Minerva greeted him with a clipped tone. It was no secret that the relationship between Centaurs and the magical community have been strained as of late.
"You came here seeking answers…" Bane stated.
Hermione, still in awe of the Centaur's beauty, merely nodded her head – while looking deep into his eyes. She felt as though he could not only read her mind, but her soul as well.
"Your child is safe, and well." Bane stated. "You need not worry, for every protection has been given to her…your focus needs to remain elsewhere, for the time has come when all magical creatures, witches, and wizards need to come together, standing shoulder to shoulder – with you on the front line."
"Why me?" Hermione whispered.
Bane looked at the sky, inhaling deeply through his nose before he replied – "The stars reveal many things, that is how I knew to find you in this clearing." Bane's gaze returned once more to Hermione. "Something in the atmosphere has shifted. Something no one had counted on in years past…something not even the stars revealed to us."
"And what exactly has changed? What has caused this shift?" Minerva asked, her heart beginning to speed up with anticipation.
Bane's gaze never faltered from Hermione's. "You have caused this change."
Hermione's heart skipped a beat.
"The reading of the stars can be a tricky thing, for the free-will of humans can have a lasting effect which can alter a perceived destiny." Bane said.
"I don't understand." Hermione replied.
Bane sighed and stared deeply into Hermione's eyes, in an almost pleading way. "It is because of you that we now stand a chance. A chance that the skies told us would never come. Your suffering, your traumas – have shaped a new future for us all. You have been through many horrific things – things that could have killed you, which should have destroyed you…which would have destroyed most people. And yet…here you are…standing before us…unscathed. Well…mostly." Bane slowly approached Hermione, and handed her a vial. Hermione turned it over in her hands and saw the small note on it which read: "Just in case your impetuousness has gotten in the way – Severus."
As Bane turned to walk away, he said something that took Hermione so off guard that she went weak in the knees…"So here's where you make your choice…are you ready to be strong?" He uttered the same words that Hermione and Minerva spoke to one another not long before. Hermione took that as a sign, uncorked the vial, and downed it in one gulp. She immediately felt the healing effects it had upon her lungs as a warmth spread throughout her body. She held onto Minerva for support, who said "Maybe you should rest for a moment, lamb."
"No." Hermione replied, shaking her head with a smile on her face. "I feel fine. Strong." She steadied herself and looked towards Bane. "Thank you." She said earnestly.
Bane turned his head back to face her, bowing his head. "No. Thank you. Because of you and your children, we now stand a fighting chance. You will all be needed, and wanted." He gestured to the forest, to several Centaurs who had gathered. "Your friends are with you, Miss Weasley." With that, he trotted away.
Hermione had a blank look on her face as she stared off into the distance. Minerva shared the same look. After a few moments, their eyes met and the question was shared between them – making their hearts flutter…"Children?"
Minerva held onto a shivering Hermione and whispered, "Come on, let's get back to the castle." They walked back up the hill, holding onto each other, lost in their own thoughts – wondering what was to come.
"You think you know…what you are…what's to come. You have no idea."
A sudden realization hit Minerva. She thought of the dream that she had, the vision that Morgaine showed her. She thought of all the possible futures and began to put the pieces together. She mentioned the name 'Igraine'. She said that both she and Igraine were going to need her and Hermione, and that she would not be able to find her, no matter how hard she looked. Were the pieces starting to come together? Could Bane's words be true? And if so, when and how would that come to pass? Morgaine was physically born by Lucius Malfoy – Minerva shuddered as she flashed back to the horrible memories of Hermione not just being violated – but destroyed as well. Bane was right, it should have destroyed her – it would have destroyed most people. But not Hermione. She was a fighter in every sense of the word. She overcame impossible odds – and had the new-found determination to keep pushing on…for herself, for the world, for magic…for her children?
They finally made it back to the castle and into their quarters. Hermione sank down onto the bed. She was still trying to process what Bane said…children. It was overwhelming, and confusing all at the same time – for she had no knowledge of the vision that Minerva had…or what was revealed to her in it. Minerva knelt down in front of Hermione and placed her hands upon her knees. Their eyes met – so full of love, so full of wondering. "Speak love, what are you thinking?"
Hermione took Minerva's face into her hands and replied, "The same things you are thinking about – I'm sure. But I need to still try and process them. Can we just go to bed?"
Minerva smiled and nodded. Hermione changed her clothes more quickly than Minerva – who had layers of robes to untie. Hermione pulled the covers over her and turned onto her side – facing Minerva, whose back was facing the open closet. Hermione watched as Minerva's lithe fingers gently undid her laces, and removed her outer robe. Her lean figure was now clearly defined underneath her inner robe. The right side of Hermione's mouth curled up in a grin and her heart began to beat fast. Minerva did not know that Hermione was watching, as she carefully removed her inner robe. Now, covered in only a thin undershift, Hermione's breath hitched as she anticipated seeing the woman that she loved – naked – for the first time. Minerva heard the slight intake of air and stopped undressing. She turned her head and saw Hermione staring at her, mouth slightly open. "Oh darling, this old body is something that I don't think you want to see right now."
Hermione pushed the blanket aside and stood – pausing for a moment – before approaching slowly approaching Minerva, their eyes locked on each other. Hermione ran her hands down the length of Minerva's bare arms – which shivered at her touch. "On the contrary, this is exactly what I have been waiting for." She licked her lips, and lightly kissed Minerva, pausing briefly to hold Minerva's lower lip between her own. Hermione turned and began kissing her on the neck – feeling her love's bounding pulse. Minerva bent her head back slightly, a little sigh of pleasure escaping her lips. Hermione kissed her way back up, and took Minerva's lips in her own once again. She felt Minerva returning the kiss, as a warm feeling reached both of their abdomens. The kisses began sweet and tender, as they both moved backwards and sat on the bed. Hands began to roam each other's backs, as their faces grew hot and flushed – tiny whimpers being exchanged. Hermione paused, mid-kiss, for a moment – meeting Minerva's eyes with her own. Very slowly, she traced Minerva's lips with her tongue, as she watched Minerva's eyes grow wide at this new level on intimacy. Hermione's tongue probed Minerva's lips, begging for entrance. Minerva – feeling nervous, but excited as the same time – slowly parted her lips, granting Hermione entry. Their eyes never faltered as their gazed into each other's souls with growing passion. Hermione took the lead over the inexperienced Minerva, knowing that she was about to be the teacher – the professor. Very slowly, Hermione's tongue met Minerva's. Minerva inhaled sharply through her nose, as the warmth reached her pelvis. The feeling of Hermione's tongue was like no other. Minerva returned the kiss more hungrily – allowing her own tongue to explore Hermione's mouth. The breathing of both women increased as they both began to shiver in anticipation. Minerva suddenly halted, and pulled away, before Hermione – understanding the hesitation – breathed softly into Minerva's ear. "This is not 'sex', Minerva. This is making love. This is not unbridled passion, this is our need to experience each other fully." Minerva's eyes became blurred with tears, and parted her lips – about to speak. Hermione interceded, and said "I have known you beauty, strength, and love from the inside. I want to experience the whole you – body, mind, and soul. I want us to finally be complete. This is not 'empty'. Yes, I desire you – but not in the way that you believe to be on the 'empty side'. I want to feel your strength, your courage, you love for me – in the fullest possible way."
"When I say I love you, it's not because I want you, or because I can't have you. It has nothing to do with me. I love what you are. What you do. How you try. I've seen your kindness, and your strength. I've seen the best and the worst of you, and I understand, with perfect clarity, exactly what you are. You're a hell of a woman. You're the One."
"But you still aren't well." Minerva whispered.
"On the contrary." Hermione replied. "I feel stronger than I have for the past couple of years – and I want to share that strength with you – in every way possible. I am asking you…Minerva…to make love to me."
Minerva, still nervous over her inexperience, finally understood that all she needed to do – was to show Hermione every way she has ever felt about her, and the rest would take care of itself. Hermione kissed Minerva gently, and slowly pulled the shift away from her soul mate. Minerva immediately covered herself with her arms and hands. Hermione gently pulled them away, and was overcome with the beauty. She raised Minerva's head by her chin and kissed her once more. Looking directly into her eyes, she whispered – "You never have to hide yourself from me. You are the most beautiful person I have ever had the pleasure and privilege of knowing…inside and out." That was all Minerva needed to hear in order to regain her confidence. Hermione slowly traced the scars on Minerva's chest with her fingers, following them with light kisses – before returning to her lips. This time, they kissed hungrily – tongues roaming, Hermione slightly nibbling on Minerva's – who let out a gasp of pleasure. Hermione gently laid Minerva back on the bed, and stood in front of her, taking delight in Minerva watching her undress. Minerva gasped at the sheer beauty of the woman who stood before her. The woman who has been through so much – and who bore the scars to prove it. Hermione returned to the bed, and laid next to Minerva – who wrapped her arms around her. Hermione rested her head against Minerva's chest – as she had done so many nights after nightmares. This time was different though, she was not looking for comfort, she was looking for partnership. Hermione felt Minerva's chest rise and fall at a quickened pace – Hermione's own heart began to speed up to match it. The turned their heads and began to kiss again – first slowly, then quickly – as they felt the passion and connection building between them. The warmth in their pelvises turned to heat as they began to desire one another – to finally become one, to finally become whole. Hermione draped one leg over Minerva's, feeling the heat of Minerva's center against her knee. The feeling was indescribable as Minerva's head flung back and she let out a whimper. Her nipples instantly hardened as she pulled Hermione down to her, arms clinging strongly to her back. They began to kiss once more as Hermione felt her own center rubbing against Minerva's leg. She let out a moan – which shocked Minerva – who had no idea that she would be able to invoke such a response…it felt wonderful. Minerva, who started out as nervous, realized that Hermione loved her so much that she would never let her fall. She finally began to understand the full degree of their love – they would both live for each other…and die for each other. The became 'one' in every possible way – and Minerva knew that she was with the person she waited over 75 years for. She had that knowledge before – in her mind, but she truly felt it in her heart, her soul, and her body. She was overwhelmed with not just passion, but affection and gratitude as well. She nestled her head into Hermione's shoulder and began to weep.
Hermione looked down in alarm and gently stroked her soul-mates face. "Is this too fast? Am I hurting you?"
Minerva's tear-stained face looked up as she shook her head. "No, lamb. I am just so grateful to have finally found you. I have waited my whole life for you – and never even knew it until now."
"Hermione and Minerva embraced and Hermione whispered "I love you."
Minerva felt her heart overflow as she kissed the tip of Hermione's nose…"I love you too my little lamb, I always have, I always will."
Minerva held onto their embrace and sighed peacefully, tears escaping her eyes. She knew she was just about to make love for the first time – to the woman she knew she was not only going to spend this life with – but other lifetimes to come…
"Like all of us of the old ways…you must believe that this is not the only lifetime where we have met…"
TBC! Thanks for the patience, I have been pretty ill the past few months, but I am finally well enough to start writing again! The past few months have given me a lot of time to think about this story and where I want to take it – I've got a lot of ideas coming soon which I hope you will enjoy!
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