A/N – Thanks once again to all my loyal readers. I truly appreciate it. This story would have died a while ago if it wasn't for all of you guys. Feel free to message me. I love you guys !

Disclaimer – I still don't own I'm just taking the characters out for a joy ride. :D

Minerva McGonagall wandered the halls of the castle thinking about the things that had happened over the last few days. The first event on her mind was the night she had fallen asleep on her desk. She had felt Hermione move her and woken up but something had made her pretend to still be asleep. She had then heard every word of the young woman's confession. So as she walked she tried to figure out a way to deal with what she had learned. Hermione thought she was disappointed in her? Never. When she admitted it to herself, she had seriously inappropriate feelings towards the girl and couldn't be prouder of her achievements. Well, she also had to admit that she wasn't exactly comfortable with the idea of the girl playing this "Roller Derby" sport.

The sport, according to Hermione was an intensely violent one. In Quidditch, the players didn't actively attempt to hurt one another, unless the player was a Slytherin of course. So the thought of Hermione actively seeking to harm someone, even in a sport, was disturbing. As long as she had known the girl she had always been a gentle and kind person. Since the war, she had obviously become more violent and much less concerned about her own safety. This young woman who had come to mean so much to the older witch, the young woman that Minerva could easily see spending the rest of her life with, was quickly becoming someone she barely recognized. Whether she liked this person that the young woman was becoming was something she was still trying to sort out for herself.

She had just turned a corner to start down another hall when the sight in front of her made her pause. Draco Malfoy was beginning to lean in as if to kiss Hermione. The older witch couldn't help but cover her mouth to stifle a laugh, and step into a small alcove just around the corner, as Hermione's forehead snapped forward in a well-practiced maneuver and broke Draco's nose. "Damn it Hermione! You could have just said no instead of breaking my nose again," Draco exclaimed as he held his nose to try and stem the flow of blood now rushing from his face.

"Well I wouldn't have had to break your nose if you had asked first. I don't even like guys Draco! I'm a lesbian." Hermione snapped. "Sorry anyway."

Minerva heard the young man sigh and a small undignified squeak of pain when he mended the break himself. It was then that she drew in a deep breath and plastered her Professor McGonagall mask firmly in place. "Ms. Granger, where were you last night?" she demanded as she walked to the two oddly matched friends.

"I-I I'm sorry…" Hermione began to stutter out an apology but never finished it.

"I'm afraid I will have to add another week onto your detentions for skipping last night. I will speak to you about it more when you arrive this evening." That said she continued on her way to her office to begin tackling her mountain of paperwork before dinner.

Hermione watched her go and the feelings building inside her were completely conflicted. Why was McGonagall always angry with her all of a sudden? Why couldn't she bring herself to hate the woman with everything she had? What did the older witch want to discuss her missing last night's detention for? All this and more swirled in Hermione's brain as she headed for the Room of Requirement.

Today Ro and she were both practicing maneuvers on the court with the dummies and against each other. In the space of only a few days the older witch had managed to learn to skate and quite a few of the defensive strategies. At the end of the session they headed to dinner and Hermione sat with Draco and Ginny. She managed to eat a little more than normal and felt slightly sick after trying to force her body to take in more.

Dinner ended with no problems and Hermione made her way to the Headmistress's office slowly. She wasn't looking forward to another night sitting in an uncomfortable chair, at a desk that was too low and hurt her back, writing lines until her hands cramped. As she entered, Minerva beckoned her over to her desk. Hermione followed the silent instruction and stood before her professor waiting for her to make the first move into this discussion.

"Ms. Granger, I would like to discuss the reason you skipped your detention last night." She started.

"I can understand why you would like to discuss that professor but it's not something I would like to talk about. Yes I will admit that it has everything to do with what happened, but as I said I am not ready to discuss it with you." Hermione informed her. "Now if you don't mind, Professor, I would like to get started on my lines."

"Hermione, I want to help you. You know I would never hurt you. The last time I saw you yesterday you looked at me like I was trying to harm you. You know that I never would right?" Minerva tried to make the girl understand that she was only trying to be her friend.

"I don't know, Professor. Everything inside me tells me that I should trust you, but I just can't bring myself to do it. Don't take it personally though, I really only trust one person anymore." Hermione whispered. She wrapped her arms around herself and focused her eyes on a particularly interestingly colored stone on the ground.

Gentle fingers touched her chin and heat spread from the contact. Her face was tilted up towards the older woman, who was looking down at her, intently studying her face. An almost uncontrollable urge to kiss the lips that were only inches from her own took over her body. Minerva reached out and very gently brushed a curl of hair away from her face with her free hand. "I'm sorry Hermione. What I said the other evening was out of line and uncalled for. I just don't want you to be the last true victim of this war by taking your own life. Be it accidently or intentionally, I don't think I could bare it," was the whisper that fanned breath across her face. "You mean far too much to me and everyone else for me to watch you go through that. Please forgive my actions."

Hermione thought for a moment and realized then, that she wasn't ready to forgive the older witch. "I can't yet. You hurt me, Minerva. The things you said hurt, a lot, and I am not ready to forgive you yet." She whispered in return. "Now please just let me do my lines. I promise you that when I am ready to forgive you, you will be the first to know."

Minerva chuckled lightly at that, and then pulled Hermione into a tight hug, one that, to the professor's immense surprise, the younger witch returned tightly. When she released her, the brunette moved quickly over to the stiff backed chair and rough desk, sat down and started writing.

A/N – And there you have chapter 10. Sorry it took so long, there is way too much demanding my attention as it is. I beg your forgiveness. I do not have any idea when chapter 11 will be up, but as I said before, feel free to message me with any questions regarding the approximate time and I will answer to the best of my ability. Thank you all. Read and Review please!