Diagon Alley, Hermione thought. An outdoor mall of magic. She smiled at her own private joke. Looking around at the people passing by carrying packages and shopping bags, she tried to remember when she last could've been this nervous. She decided it must have been her first day at Hogwarts. And now her last day had passed.

Shaking of the bad emotions left by those thoughts, she scanned the crowd for the fiftieth time since she'd arrived. But nowhere could she see a hat that even resembled the black top hat her favorite professor use to wear. Beside her, a small bag rested on the ground and she had a smaller bag in her hands, hands that trembled with nervousness. Suddenly her heart made an extra jump as she recognized a woman heading her way.

Minerva McGonagall wasn't wearing her hat, nor was she wearing her usual emerald green robes. Instead she was wearing a light summer dress, and a wide smile. Hermione was stunned. And just how was she supposed to keep her eyes of this lovely woman?

Minerva smiled even wider, seeing how her carefully planned dress affected her love. Holding out both her arms, she took Hermione in a tight embrace.

"It's lovely to see you again" she whispered in her ear.

"You too, professor" Hermione answered.

Minerva couldn't believe her luck; this was also a moment she had been waiting for. The moment where she could finally let go of her responsibilities and position herself on the other side of the line she so carefully had guarded for so many years now.

"You know, I'm not your professor anymore" she smiled warmly.

Hermione laughed, but inside, she was actually sad. Being an ex-student meant that she wouldn't be as important to her (ex-) professor as she used to.

"Well then" Minerva said. "How about some food before we head up north?"

"Just how will we get there?" Hermione asked as Minerva motioned for her to walk with her through the busy street.

"I have a portkey in my bag" Minerva explained and gestured at the small crimson red carpet-bag she was holding in her hand.

--

They spent the meal talking about last year and all work Minerva had done after Hermione and her fellow students had left Hogwarts.

Being back in the company of her beloved teacher made Hermione so happy she found it hard to speak, instead she was blissfully just sitting there enjoying the moment, listening to the wonderful sound of Minerva's voice.

Finally Minerva decided it was time to leave. She had been watching Hermione closely and two things where now evident to her; Hermione couldn't take her eyes of her former professor, and she was really, really nervous. Putting her hand on Hermione's, she smiled warmly at the younger woman whom she loved with all her heart.

"Is it just me, or are you a little nervous?" she gently asked.

Hermione was caught off guard.

"Ye-yes, I suppose I am a little nervous" she admitted.

Minerva tenderly squeezed her hand.

"Please do not worry" she tried to assure her love. "I have promised you everything will be all right, and I intend to keep that promise."

Hermione smiled thankfully.

"I will try" she pledged.

--

The first thing Hermione noticed upon arriving was how vast the moor seemed. Then she turned around and saw the cottage.

"This is it?" she breathed.

She was standing in front of a beautiful little house, surrounded by a flowery garden. The house was made by bone-white stone and the roof was dark-grey. A low stonewall encircled the garden, which was a sea of flowers in all kinds of colours. But most noticeable where the two huge, pink rosebushes that flanked the entrance to the cottage.

"Do you like it?"

Hermione had to laugh.

"If I like it? I absolutely adore it!"

Minerva smiled, realizing she had actually been worried Hermione wouldn't like it.

"Well then, my dear Hermione Granger, I offer you a grand welcome to Broom Cottage."

Hermione couldn't help but stare at Minerva.

"That's the name of the house?"

"Yes" Minerva laughed. "It's actually called that. Now let's get inside to see if you like the interior as much as the exterior".

She motioned for Hermione to walk first, and by doing so, she could steal a glance at the beautiful young woman from behind.

--

The interior was just as wonderful as the outside, with a cozy kitchen and a homely living room with a comfortable sofa and two chairs in front of a large fireplace. The stairs led Hermione to a small hallway leading to two large bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. Standing in the room she would be sleeping in, Hermione felt almost overwhelmed. Who could've known Minerva had such a taste for decoration and interior design?

Minerva had left her alone for a moment to unpack and get oriented. Finally returning downstairs, Hermione found Minerva on her knees in the garden, tending to one of the big rosebushes.

Standing in the doorway, Hermione took in the sight of the beautiful woman in front of her. She was finally here, finally alone with Minerva in this absolutely wonderful house. So why couldn't she relax? Why did it seem like the calm right before a big storm?

Shaking her head, she decided to try and just enjoy the moment.

"I never knew you had green fingers" she teased.

Chuckling, Minerva looked at her.

"I want these roses to be perfect" she smiled.

"But they already are, just as everything about this house, including you."

Hermione could've kicked herself for letting her tongue slip. Cursing herself she watched as Minerva rose and smiled at her.

"Thank you" she simply stated.

Dusting her hands, Minerva watched as Hermione slowly walked over the grass to smell some flowers by the stonewall. Right then and there she would have done anything to freeze time. Surrounded by the flowers, Hermione looked absolutely breathtaking. She had braided her bushy hair loosely down her back and was wearing chalk white pants and a light-green top which left the arms bare, and far too little for the imagination.

As Hermione turned towards her, Minerva decided the time had come. This was the moment she had been waiting for and she wasn't sure if she could wait any longer.