I'm glad this seems so well received thus far and without further ado, i give you the second instalment.
Reviews Encouraged.
The first and second day was hard, so many took their dead and went home and those that didn't have a home to go to stayed at the school and offered to help rebuild. Wounded were transported to St Mungo's and the unclaimed dead were handled by the Ministry. Kingsley was temporarily given the Ministers mantle and Minerva McGonagall was appointed Headmistress of Hogwarts. Hermione was among the few that opted to remain at the castle.
"Is it because of earlier? Do you need a little time to think about us?" Ron asked before leaving with his family.
"No Ron, I told you I am not interested." Hermione spoke bluntly to the thick headed ginger.
"It's Harry isn't it, you really are in love with him." Ron accused harshly only for Hermione to grit her teeth.
"Grow up Ronald, Harry is like a brother to me, nothing more. I just don't want to date you." Hermione grit out, she was so over the whole Harry shtick.
"Fine but when you change your mind, don't come crawling back." With that Ron turned and stalked off, Hermione itched to hex the idiot but instead just huffed and headed back into the castle.
The next few days Hermione managed to avoid everyone including staff and the few lingering students. She mostly spent her time magically repairing what ever random part of the castle she could. When she wasn't outside Hermione found herself in the library magically repairing books and shelves and uprighting chairs and tables. It was one of those afternoons that Hermione was discovered by non other than the Headmistress.
"Miss Granger, I heard you were still at the castle but I haven't seen you for days. I was beginning to think people were playing a trick on me." Minerva spoke up in her usual firm tone but Hermione couldn't help but smile.
"Sorry, Headmistress. I didn't want to be in the way so I was doing some incidental repair work and keeping to myself." Hermione explained casual, she gestured the mostly put back together Library as she spoke.
"So I see. I believe a great number of people have been looking for you. The Ministry, the Prophet, several job offers. Fleur Delacour has been waiting for word from you. You even got a letter from Narcissa Malfoy." Hermione looked interested when she head that Narcissa had owled her.
"How do you know?" Hermione frowned, she had been ignoring her owls the last week.
"Because when you ignore your owls they come to me. I was sure you were here but didn't want the letters so I took the liberty and went through your correspondence." Minerva confessed matter of factly.
"That's ok... Wait... You read the letter from Fleur?" Hermione inquired suddenly anxious.
Minerva regarded the young witch for a long moment, she was almost convinced, just by Hermione's reaction that the young witch did indeed have a secret. Hermione had for a long time been Minerva's favourite even though she wasn't meant to have a favourite. Hermione had never acted like she was keeping any secrets but Minerva hand noticed the way the little brunette would shy away from contact with others.
"I did. All the letters are in my quarters, I am hoping you will join me for dinner this evening? You can collect them then and we can have a chat. I have a proposition to make." Minerva gave a small uncharacteristic smile that made Hermione feel both better and worse at the same time.
"Alright. Sure thing. See you then Headmistress." Hermione returned the smile, she would never speak it out loud but she used to have a bit of a crush on the older woman.
"See you." Minerva retorted before turning and leaving the Library.
Hermione watched her go before going back to the library, when it was done she made her way back up to Gryffindor tower. On her way she stopped in the few classrooms between the library and the tower doing the minimal repairs needed. When she made it to the tower she found some clean clothes and went into the bathroom glad no one was around though it was rare that she had to share a bathroom at this point. She ran a bath and decided to soak for a little while.
Only when she was dry and dressed and her hair back in a pony tail did Hermione finally decide to head to the Headmistress' quarters. It was a little early but she didn't have a whole lot to do and she didn't feel like doing more magic today. She was feeling quite drained. She had one some comfortable loose jeans and a slightly too big tee shirt, she was hoping Minerva wouldn't mind. As it were with how busy the elves had been Hermione was having to resort to Scourgifying her clothes and it didn't remove smell only dirt.
When she made it to the entrance of the Headmistress' quarters she stopped and frowned at the portrait. After a moment of hesitation she reached out and knocked on the frame, in no time at all Minerva McGonagall had swung the door open and admitted the girl. Or she would have admitted her except Hermione was glued to her spot, she was both very surprised and not just a little aroused at the sight of the Headmistress. Minerva was dressed in some nice fitting pants, grey, and a surprisingly snug green blouse.
It wasn't that Minerva was dressed up or anything, in fact she looked quite relaxed in the clothes. It was more that Hermione, for the first time in her life, was seeing the venerable Scot in muggle clothes and her body... Morgana's tits. Hermione was so pleasantly surprised to see how time hadn't effected the older woman. Certainly Minerva's hair was greying and she had slight crows feet but her skin had always looked soft. Seeing the highly feminine figure of the Headmistress snugly wrapped up in casual clothes instead of robes... that was a sight Hermione would never forget.
"You're staring, dear." Minerva spoke up and Hermione blushed wondering how long she had been blatantly ogling her favourite Professor.
"S-sorry. You look... you look fantastic out of your teachers robes. I mean! Not out of robes but... ugh... you know..." Hermione covered her face with her hands and groaned. What a git.
"Yes well, if I might... how does it go? Toot my own horn? I look quite good naked. I apparently wear my age in my face." Minerva chuckles gently taking Hermione's wrist in her hand and pulling the young witch into the quarters.
"I feel like you being in your 60's is a total lie." Hermione piped up sneaking a glance at the firm round behind of one Minerva McGonagall.
"Magical folk age slower than non-magical. I'm afraid it's stew again tonight. Poor elves are over taxed." Minerva explained offering Hermione a seat on the sofa by a coffee table that already held two bows of stew and two hunks of bread.
"That's ok, I have rather preferred broths and such since escaping the Manor." Hermione explained not thinking.
"Escaped the Manor?" Minerva asked taking a seat beside the young witch.
"Oh... Well while we were away we were captured by Snatchers and taken to Malfoy Manor. Bellatrix exercised her torture techniques on me." Hermione hesitated but gestured the derogatory word carved into her arm.
"That vile woman... I am sorry you had to go through that." Minerva spoke apologetically but Hermione shrugged it off.
"I lived, others didn't. It hardly matters now." Hermione spoons a little of the tasty stew into her mouth.
"It matter's Hermione. But I can see you don't want to talk about it so. I would like to offer you a job." Minerva states suddenly causing Hermione to choke on her bite.
Hermione gasped and coughed appreciating the pat on the back from the older woman beside her. She had been planning to come back when School started and finish her last year but this... a job at the school was perfect. She definitely had no where else to go and though she loved her parents she knew there was no way of getting them back so she was effectively homeless. When she finally cleared her throat and looked up at the Headmistress she smiled.
"A job? Doing what?" She asked with a slightly hoarse voice.
"Transfiguration Professor. Though I would need you to study for your NEWTS and take them some time before school term starts hopefully at the end of Summer. While you are teaching I will also like to take you on for Mastery training if you would be agreeable." Minerva explains, the voice of professionalism.
"Merlin, yes please. That sounds perfect." Hermione spoke up without even hesitating.
"Perfect, then I would have no problem moving you into your quarters as soon as possible if you like. Most of the staff quarters were untouched." Minerva explained breaking off bits of bread and putting in her bowl.
"That would nice. It's been rather quite in Gryffindor tower but I certainly like my privacy." Hermione nods agreeing to the Headmistress' terms.
"Does that have anything to do with Fleur calling you her stallion? Miss Granger you are not having an affair with her are you?" Minerva asked seriously a deep frown on her face.
"Morgana's tits, Professor." Hermione went beet red and rubbed her face.
"Language Miss Granger." Chided the older woman seriously.
"Grief... No Headmistress, I am not having an affair with Fleur. She took care of me after the Manor, we were taken to Shell Cottage. She saw me naked and well... her calling me her stallion is just her teasing me." Hermione explained completely mortified. A small part of her was angry Minerva read her mail but only because it made it impossible to keep her secret.
"My I ask why she calls you a stallion?" Minerva inquired and Hermione heaved a sigh and set her bowl down.
"How about we go for shock value and I will show you instead." Hermione stood and turned to face Minerva.
The Headmistress watched curiously, a little worriedly even, as Hermione tucked her tee into the front of the knickers she was wearing and unbuttoned her jeans. When Minerva realised what Hermione was about to do she thought that she should turn away but her curiosity got the better of her and she remained as she were. Hermione slowly pushed her jeans down to about mid thigh and looked at Minerva. It became very obvious why the French witch had been calling Hermione a stallion.
Displayed in very snug boxer briefs was the very obvious outline of a flaccid penis. Minerva was both very intrigued and a little impressed by the sheer size of the young woman's member. Only when Hermione shifted on her feet did the older woman look up into anxious chocolate eyes framed by a flushed face. Before speaking Minerva slowly reached out and when Hermione didn't pull back she gently grabbed the waist of Hermione's jeans and pulled them up. Careful not to accidentally touch the young witch Minerva buttoned the jeans and then pulled the brunette back on to the sofa.
"It makes a lot more sense now. Thank you for trusting me with this secret even though I kind of forced you into telling it to me." Minerva spoke gently and Hermione nodded.
"Honestly if I were ever going to tell anyone it would probably be you." Hermione confessed sincerely.
"Oh?" Minerva was a little surprised by this admission.
"Yeah well... you've always been my favourite Professor and well... you've never looked at me judging. Most everyone else close to me has for one thing or another. Being a book work and a know it all, being muggle-born. You've always just managed to make me feel comfortable without trying." Hermione shrugged and picked up her stew again.
"Well... I am glad, you are probably the only student I have had who hasn't been intimidated by me." Minerva smiled pleased by her former student and future colleagues words.
"Hell fire, Minerva. I'm terrified of you, its just situational. As a mentor you aren't that scary but as a potential opponent... shiver in my boots." Hermione teased though she was being slightly serious.
"We should duel one day, I imagine you would give me a serious run for my galleons." Minerva chuckled and the two settled into the sofa and pleasant conversation.