So the lockdown muse has arrived at last. Her is the next instalment. I am gong to go back and date the chapters as after a chat with my beta it seems my brain has an inability to express time jumps well on paper so I figure that I may as well date each chapter. (this one will be done too). Thank you to my beta Lib McGranger for going through this and listening to my ideas on where to take this and the others. You are a star. So any ways enjoy and reviews are always welcome.

27th August 2006, 19:55

Minerva gave herself the pep talk before she joined her professors in the Great Hall. It was just another day with a new professor, and she was just going to treat Hermione exactly the same as she would any other.

That however failed the minute she pushed the doors open and set eyes on the woman who had consumed her dreams for close to a decade. She was engaged in conversation with Filius, and he had clearly just made a comment so amusing she had to do that wonderful thing where her head tilted slowly to the side exposing the expanse of neck that just begged for Minerva's longue to run up. Stop it, you need to remain professional.

She hadn't been noticed as she strode slowly towards the other professors, they were all enamoured by the fabulous young woman. Over the years Minerva had always enjoyed being able to observe her without being noticed, being able to watch the flow of her hair, the flutter of her eyelashes and the glorious sound of her laughing. Floating along, placing the fact she was married on the back burner as she always did when she was with Hermione, there was the unmistakable flutter in her stomach. Yep, this was indeed a bad idea, bringing her back here. No, it wasn't a bad idea- it was a dangerous idea and was going to test her resolve and restraint to its very limit.

Hermione had noticed the door open and the slender form slip through trying, she knew, to remain unnoticed. Filius had at this point decided to hit the punchline of the most terrible "dad joke" she had heard in a while. She couldn't help it, couldn't refrain from laughing and throwing her head to an enticing angle. For Merlin's sake this is going too far. You have been back in the castle for 8 hours. Stop it.

Minerva stumbled, catching her toe on a decidedly unhelpful cobblestone. She tried to remain upright but that was not going to happen and mustering as much grace as she could on the way down, landing in a crumpled heap on the floor.

Hermione wasted no time, in one fluid movement she was over the table and landing with feline stealth. Long strides got her to the woman in a flash, she knelt down face to face with her, "Hey there," she smiled down into those glorious eyes. Losing herself in them far quicker than she should have. "That was quite an entrance," Hermione smirked at the elder. Don't say it… please just keep your mouth shut. "I know we haven't seen each other in a while, but the whole head over feet thing is a bit too far, don't you think?" seriously woman learn to control your mouth.

Minerva looked up at the younger witch barely believing what had just been said. The bubbling in her chest rising while she was struggling to regain her composure. Not only had she just landed on her arse in front of her staff, she had done so in front of the one person making a fool of herself in front of would not do. The corners of her mouth began to crease as she struggled to contain herself. And as Hermione began to chuckle low in her throat she lost her resolve and a full belly laugh erupted from her. She hadn't laughed like that in a very long time. And as it began to subside and her control returned, "Now Miss Granger, is that any way to speak to your superior?" An eyebrow raised, "I may have to punish you for your insolence one of these days." Good god woman, 8 hours and you have cracked, this is not good at all.

"Please, Minerva, I have told you before," the young witch whispered as she leant down and helped her mentor to her feet. "You can punish me in any way you like, any time you like." She winked and turned to face the front of the hall as the two women began to walk towards their meal. Tilting her head back slightly, "Join me for a walk after dinner, we have so many things to catch up on." She stopped dead, Minerva only realising in time to prevent her walking into her and ending up on the floor again. "That is of course if your wife isn't expecting you back straight after dinner?"

Mesmerised by the woman, "I think I can arrange something." she replied. This is going to be a long long year.

Unbeknownst to both women, Filius sat watching the interaction with apt attention. He had known these two were attracted to each other and had been for many years, he had known they had spent many an evening enjoying each other's company. But as he watched them together here, he knew that what was to come was going to be anything but easy. Cybil sat to his left and failed to mention the red pulsating aura surrounding the women and the sparks of invisible magic they were giving off. Everyone could see them anyway, there was no need to mention to anyone how the two womens souls swirled together.