Chapter 3

Minerva sat in the stone tub in Hermione's private bathroom at Potter Estate. She had scrubbed her skin until red whelps had surfaced in an attempt to remove any trace of Rory Stewart. Hermione had said nothing as she did it but merely handed her a basic healing potion. Minerva had drunk it immediately before handing the phial back to the young witch. Minerva watched as Hermione moved about the room in search of a nightgown and underclothes for Minerva to borrow. Minerva had already requested Hermione burn every stitch of her clothing which the younger had already agreed to do. Minerva who was still flushed and quite aroused finally decided to talk. "Why do you have your own set of rooms at Potter Estate? I wasn't aware you and Harry were in a relationship."

Hermione gathered the items she had searched for and laid them on the counter. She moved over to the edge of the tub and sat down in front of her friend. Hermione smiled reassuring and replied, "I'm not in a relationship with Harry. The fool decided to list me as his sister on the forms at Gringotts Bank and even performed a small blood ritual that recognized me as a Potter before we left in search of the Horcuxes."

Minerva looked surprised at that and Hermione grinned. "Harry Potter has a saving people thing and he decided he would make sure I was taken care of in the event he didn't make it through the war. I have always seen Harry as a brother of sorts but I never wanted his money. The fool just laughed at me when I told him as much and said he had plenty to spare. Harry insists his treasure is not the wealth in his vaults but the friends and family surrounding him and he is quite adamant I am his family."

"That's quite noble of him," Minerva said as her respect for the young wizard grew. "Why haven't I heard this before?"

Hermione sighed and then answered honestly, "Ronald." Tears filled the younger woman's eyes before she continued. "He is so jealous of Harry's fame and money. Ron doesn't realize he has everything Harry has ever wanted, a family to love and cherish. Harry believed Ron wouldn't accept me becoming Harry's sister well so we hid it. Ron is a great friend to me; however, he is easily angered and flies off the handle so quickly. While the war has forced Ron to grow up somewhat, he will never fully accept the closeness Harry and I share due to his jealousy. Ron has somehow convinced himself I am meant to be his wife and is jealous of any time I spend with Harry especially when he is not with us."

Minerva snorted at this. "That's utterly ridiculous. That boy wants a Molly and you will never be happy with that. You need to stretch your mind and continue to learn. You will need someone that will encourage your studies not pull the books right out of your hands."

"Exactly," Hermione agreed and then frowned. "Now back to your problem. You know those potions will continue to run rampant in your system until you give in. Do you have any secret suitors or interests?"

"No," Minerva stammered and closed her eyes. Minerva didn't want to have this conversation but she knew she had to. "You are well aware I do not and the reasons why. I am unsure if I will even be able to participate without descending into past experiences."

Hermione sighed and moved closer to her friend. She reached out carefully and grasped Minerva's slightly wet hand with her own. "I am well aware of the struggles of being a rape victim and what you will have to overcome."

Minerva looked at her young friend sharply. Hermione had never mentioned rape to her in any of their previous conversations. Hermione gave Minerva a sad smile and explained. "You know about the torture at Malfoy Manor but I might have omitted a few details. Harry is the only one living that knows what really happened. After Mudblood was carved into my arm, Bellatrix decided to give me to some of the inner circle wizards for fun. I was brutally raped by 3 wizards that night." The tears flowed down Hermione's face as she struggled to finish her story. "I felt disgusted and never thought I would be able to get the smell of them off of me when we finally escaped. Harry found me scrubbing the skin right off myself one night while I was trying to get their smell off me. I broke down and told Harry the truth and he just held me while I cried. He healed my skin, the bruises, and the bite marks that littered my body from the attack and never said a word to anyone. After the final battle, I found out from Ron that Harry had killed a few wizards from behind. Ron didn't know what to make of it but I pushed it off as he was taken out the enemy before they could hurt our side. It didn't take me long to realize it was the wizards that violated me at Malfoy Manor and Harry had taken them out so I wouldn't ever have to worry about them hurting me again."

"Oh my sweet girl," Minerva cooed as she pulled Hermione into a slightly awkward hug. "I am so sorry that happened to you. I probably would have done the same as Harry if I had known what happened and their identities."

"I have no doubt," Hermione whispered and then added, "Let's get you dressed." Hermione helped Minerva out of the stone tub and then dried her carefully. Minerva moaned somewhat at the touches and apologized each time. "Don't apologize for which you have no control over," her friend said vehemently. Hermione helped Minerva dress and then brushed and dried her hair. "We still have to get you through tonight," the young witch whispered.

Minerva closed her eyes in defeat and said, "I know."

"I have a suggestion but I don't think you are going to like it," Hermione said cautiously then met Minerva's eyes. "I know he is younger and a former student but Harry understands how abuse affects people."

"No," Minerva said quickly while vehemently shaking her head no. "I cannot ruin his life."

"You won't ruin his life," Hermione stated truthfully.

"There will be a child," Minerva stated and then continued. "He has his whole life in front of him and I will not add a child to his burdens. Besides I am pretty sure he would be disgusted at the idea of Old McGonagall in his bed."

"Actually I think he would be excited about you in his bed," Hermione interrupted with a smirk. "Harry has had a crush on you for years. Hell, most Gryffindor males and half of the females, fantasize about our stern Head of House losing control at their hands." Minerva snorted at this this and rolled her eyes. "Minerva, I am being completely serious. I wish you knew how beautiful you really are. But back on topic, Harry dreams of having a family of his own. Any children, no matter the circumstances regarding their conception, would be a dream come true for Harry. You once told me you regretted not having a family."

"A family, yes, but not a child out of wedlock," Minerva cried out in frustration. "I am the daughter of a Presbyterian minister and quite old fashioned Hermione. I want a husband and children to come after the wedding. I am sure Harry's teenage crush has vanished and he has moved on with young Miss Weasley."

Hermione scoffed at that, "Ginny is in love with the Boy Who Lived not Harry and he knows it. Harry has been distancing himself from her for a while now. Actually he has been distancing himself from the entire Weasley family so Ginny will know he is serious about there not being a future for them. So you are old-fashioned in family matters and want a husband before a pregnancy is confirmed? How does the idea of Harry filling that role sound?"

"Hermione Granger," Minerva almost yelled indignant at suggestion. "That is not what I meant and you very well know it. I cannot destroy his future. I will just go bed a random wizard and be done with it."

Hermione sighed and then tried another tactic, "Harry needs you as much as you need him. Harry wants a family but has given up on finding a witch that understands his need of being just Harry. People see the Boy Who Lived but not the boy who lost his family to become the Boy Who Lived. People see the wizard who vanquished Voldemort but not the Harry who had to fight and take others' lives in order to do so. You, Minerva McGonagall, know what it is like to be pushed into fame and the spotlight. You understand how frustrating it is for Harry and you really do have a lot in common with him. I think a marriage between you and Harry could be wonderful if you overlook the age gap and be honest with one another. Besides you wouldn't make it to a local bar and find a willing male before you lose yourself completely to the potions."

Minerva sighed and dropped her eyes from Hermione's gaze. She knew she was losing her ability to think straight due to her increased arousal but she also knew she could trust Hermione completely. If Hermione thought this was the solution to her problem than why was she arguing with the young witch standing before her? "So tell me," Minerva said and reluctantly asked, "How would Harry feel about all of this?"

Hermione just beamed before running out of the room. Minerva assumed she ran off to find the wizard in question. Minerva gazed at herself in the full length mirror in front of her. Hermione had found a simple black satin and lace nightgown that fell just above her knees. She wore no bra and only had black satin and lace knickers on under the gown. Her feet were bare and her hair cascaded down her back to her waist. She hadn't worn her hair down in years but she had no desire to pin it up. Her body was flushed and her green eyes shown her arousal. She was a hot mess she thought with a sigh of frustration. The potions coursing through her body made it difficult for her to refrain from touching herself. She knew she would be lucky to make it an hour more before the arousal became too much to not act upon.