So i am seriously hoping that this chapter clears up the questions i've gotten about Minerva's age.
Reviews welcome
After that evening the two spent at least two nights a week having dinner before Minerva would either help Hermione study or they would talk about Transfiguration. It went on like this for months, Hermione would help with repairs or go and visit Harry and the Weasley's for a little while before returning to the castle. She even visited Fleur every couple of weeks, they would meet at Hogsmead and have lunch.
By the time September 1st arrived Hermione had taken her NEWTS and not surprisingly achieved 'Outstanding' on each subject. Minerva had decided to throw a small staff party to congratulate the young woman the night before term starts. Which was probably why she was waking up face down on Minerva's sofa with pants pulled up ridiculously high and her shirt half burned in the fireplace. Groaning she rolled off the couch and onto her back on the floor.
Minerva walked out of her bedroom and was surprisingly wearing an over large tee with a cute cartoon cat printed on the front of it. She looked considerably less hung over than Hermione felt and the brunette groaned again, this time it was disgust because she was sure Minerva had drank more than she had. She was just stretching out her stiff muscles when Minerva climbed onto the sofa and lay where Hermione had been a moment ago.
"You're showing." Minerva hummed uncharacteristically rubbing herself and her face on the sofa. Had Hermione been completely aware she might have realised the older woman was effectively covering herself in the brunettes scent.
"My shirts in the fire." Hermione points out with a dry throat, her head was pounding and she longed for a drop of water. Why did she get drunk again? It was a first for her.
"Not what I meant." Minerva spoke up only to place her hand splayed out low on Hermione's smooth flat tummy when the brunette didn't get it.
At that point they both noticed the twitch in Hermione's jeans and they both flushed though for very different reasons. If it was assumed that Minerva was entirely sober then it would be wrong, she was also pretty sure her cat was coming on heat. It was a manageable effect of being an animagus but it did leave her a little frustrated for a few days. Hermione might normally had promptly removed herself from the room, maybe the castle, but was far too hung over to move so she simply reached passed the hand on her stomach and slid her hand into her boxers and adjusted herself. Her jeans were just loose enough that her erection was completely hidden.
"I'm never drinking again." Hermione groaned her hands flopping down at her sides.
"I would suspect not. You were quite out of control last night." Minerva smirked when the younger woman groaned. How very cute.
"How are you not hung over?" Hermione squinted her eyes open and looked at the Headmistress who was laying on her belly on the couch her hand still on Hermione's abdomen.
"My cat is coming in heat, kind of over rules everything else." Minerva explained in a decidedly sleepy voice.
"Is that why you're being all touchy-feely?" Hermione asked pointedly looking down at the hand now tracing her ribs on her right side. Minerva looked from Hermione's face to her wandering hand and nodded.
"Mostly, also just because you're quite attractive and half naked on my floor." Minerva pointed out rather cheekily. Hermione blushed at the compliment as well as the reminder that she was only covered by a bra on her top half. She ignored the fact that her nipples were hard from Minerva's stroking fingers.
"On that note, can I borrow a shirt to get back to my quarters in?" Hermione had moved into her teachers quarters which were only down the hall on the other side from Minerva's.
"No. Why don't you go take a shower and I will go fetch them. I need to let the cat out so she can run off her frustration. Towels are in my bathroom and I am sure you can manage to transfigure one into a robe for yourself." Minerva finally removed her hand and sat up.
Before Hermione could argue the Headmistress turned into a small silver tabby cat with spectacle marks and deep green eyes. Minerva-cat leaped from the couch onto Hermione's belly and plopped herself down before rolling and wiggling. This time Hermione got it, the tabby was covering herself in Hermione's scent. Hermione narrowed her eyes when the cat stopped flat on her back and looked back at Hermione. The brunette was convinced that cat would smirk if her lips worked that way and so she rolled her eyes and shoved Minerva off her and onto the floor.
"Its very hard to argue with a cat." Hermione pointed out once she was standing and leaned over to bop the cat on the nose. Minerva swiped at her but missed and then trotted off. Obviously the conversation was over.
The week started, students arrived though a sadly low number of them, they were sorted and went to classes. Hermione found that she absolutely loved teaching and she wasn't nearly as short tempered with the students as she was with Ron in the past. She didn't spend any more time with Minerva while the woman was on heat, at least not alone but when she was over it they set about business.
As for marking and having free time to work on her Mastery Hermione set up a plan to stagger the marking per year. She would only make one year of classes a day which would leave her with a few hours each night after dinner to either study for her Mastery or train with the Headmistress. Minerva had suggested she work on her Animagus transformation and so Hermione did, first by reading what ever she could find to read about it which sadly wasn't much.
The weeks went on and when the Hogsmead trips started up again for 3rd year and up Hermione found herself on duty to supervise. It was the second weekend she had been stuck with it when she found herself taking a break in the Three Broomsticks, relaxing, only to be confronted by Rita Skeeter. Hermione had heard the rumours around the castle so it wasn't really much of a surprise when Rita opened her mouth.
"Professor. I must say i've heard a few things about you." Rita didn't even give Hermione a chance to respond.
"Go on then." Hermione sighed her resignation, she just wanted a warm relaxing Butter beer before wandering around in the snow making sure the students weren't being menaces.
"You're spending a lot of time in the Headmistress' private quarters I hear." Rita spoke smugly and Hermione couldn't help rolling her eyes but she didn't answer.
"Is it true then?" Rita spoke excitedly when she didn't get an instant denial.
"Is what true?" Hermione asked coyly.
"You're shagging McGonagall." Rita's question sounded far more like an accusation but either way made the young woman laugh.
"What does it matter? Regardless of what I say you're just going to write your own story aren't you. Thanks for interrupting my day Rita. Its never a pleasure." Hermione removed herself from the table and left the inn without another word.
The following Monday afternoon found Hermione sitting in her office marking papers when Minerva walked in. Hermione smiled before frowning slightly, it was odd that Minerva would seek her out on a day they didn't have scheduled training. She watched as, uncharacteristically, Minerva walked over and pushed her back from the desk slightly and moving the paper Hermione had been reading. When the spot was clear Minerva sat on the with her legs on either side of Hermione's. The young brunette looked a little apprehensive and had to swallow before she spoke.
"Minerva? What's going on?" Hermione asked hesitantly looking up at the older woman.
"You don't read the Prophet any more do you?" Minerva replied with her own question.
"No ma'am." Hermione frowned again wondering what that had to do with it.
"Take a look then." Minerva pulled the days Daily Prophet out of the pocket of her robes and handed it to the younger woman. Hermione took and unfolded it, she instantly saw the reason for this visit on the front page.
Granger. Professor or the Head's Mistress?
She didn't bother reading the article, she knew exactly what it was about as she suddenly remembered her Saturday morning in Hogsmead. Rita had obviously done what Hermione assumed she would and run her own story that no doubt contained not a single actual fact. It wasn't that the report wrote the story that bothered Hermione though, it was the fact that the story sullied Minerva's name. It was obvious that the older woman seemed a little put off by the article or she wouldn't be there right now, slowly moving off the desk and straddling Hermione's lap.
Hermione dropped the paper and looked a little startled at the Headmistress who was no sat fully astride her lap with her arms wrapped loosely around Hermione's neck. Hermione felt an odd mix of fear and arousal and had to glance down at the front of her robes to be sure she wasn't showing. There was no doubt in her mind that she has, and had had, feelings for Minerva McGonagall. It was impossible not to.
"Minerva?" Hermione squeaked embarrassingly.
"You know what the most disappointing part of this is?" Hermione couldn't help but shiver at the soft coo of the woman's words.
"What?" Hermione hated how worried sounding her voice came out. To think she claimed she wasn't intimidated by this woman.
"We are accused of being lovers and i've never had the pleasure." Minerva had leaned forward and whispered the words in Hermione's ear. Hermione failed to stifle a groan.
Minerva didn't give the younger witch time to react before pushing her hips forward causing her hips to come in contact with Hermione's rigid member. Both women groaned and Hermione gripped the Headmistress' hips not sure if she wanted to push her away or pull her closer. When Minerva pushed forward again Hermione's eyes fluttered and she spoke in a rush.
"Are you on heat again?" She refused to acknowledge how husky her voice was and Minerva chuckled.
"No. That's a three month cycle." The older woman said amused.
"I don't have sex before the 3rd date." Hermione blurted the next time Minerva's hips rocked forward. Minerva stopped and leaned back a little looking down at the brunette.
"Meet me in my office before dinner tonight." Minerva all but demanded as she slid off of Hermione's lap and walked out of the room before the brunette could even speak.
Hermione watched her go with wide eyes before looking down at her lap, thankfully because of her boxers there was only a slight bump in her teaching robes. She gently cupped her twitching cock over her robes and sobbed her frustration as she leaned forward in her seat until her forehead was resting on the table. She wasn't sure if she was in trouble with Minerva or not, well she was positive she was in trouble with Minerva just a different kind, but she was suddenly extremely anxious to go to the Headmistress' office. 'Before dinner' gave her a totally of one hour and 3 minutes... 53 seconds she realised glancing at her watch.
With a heavy sigh she sat up straight and finished up her final two papers before standing and heading up to Minerva's office. She dawdled on her way though it still didn't take more than a few minutes, the students were all in the hall which made for nothing in her way. When she reached the statue she stepped into the space between the wings and spoke the password. When she made it to the door she hesitated before knocking. The door swung open and she walked in stopping a couple of feet into the room to look over the attractive sight before her.
"Minerva, you look lovely." Hermione offered sincerely and Minerva's serious expression lifted to reveal a small smile.
"Hermione I have something to ask you." Minerva spoke up moving around her desk in her soft green thick strapped, knee length dress and heels. Her hair was a neat braid over her left shoulder.
"What is it?" Hermione was curious, Minerva looked so serious.
"Do you trust me?" Minerva asked seriously though a little softly.
"Of course." The younger woman didn't hesitate to reply.
"Can I trust you Hermione? Absolutely?" Minerva stepped closer to the brunette, one of her hands clenched into a fist.
"Absolutely." Hermione confirmed seriously.
"Then I have to tell you something serious. Do you recognise this?" The older woman raised her hand and when Hermione held hers out she dropped a small red stone the size of a tom bowler marble into her open palm.
"Is this... is this an alchemy stone?" Hermione wasn't sure she wanted to reach too far but she was almost certain what she held was a philosophers stone.
"Indeed it is. It's exactly what you think it is." Hermione gaped at the Headmistress.
"But you're shite at alchemy." Minerva laughed at the brunettes words.
"You're not wrong Hermione. But i'm a bit like you, I love to learn and there is always something new to learn. I got in contact with Mr Flamel when I was younger and convinced him I to make me a small Philosopher's stone. I had to make an unbreakable vowel that I would only use it to extend my life specifically for the purpose of continuing to learn and so I have." Minerva explains honestly her finger running along the edge of Hermione's still open palm.
"Why are you tell me about it? It's got to be the best kept secret of the century." Hermione watched as Minerva gently plucked up the stone and opened a tiny secret compartment in the oak desk in the room. When she lifted her hand after placing the stone in the desk Hermione could see a small spot of blood on the tip of the woman's finger.
"Because Hermione, I would like to date you. I haven't felt for anyone in a long time the way I do for you and if you would be agreeable I want to date you and see if this, us, can go anywhere. I know your secret and now you know mine." Minerva explained sincerely walking closer to the young witch again.
"Oh..." Hermione said dumbly, it did rather make sense, she wouldn't want to be in a relationship with someone who wasn't honest with her.
"So... how old are you really?" Hermione asks suddenly.
"Almost 67. How ever, the elixir of life doesn't actually grant immortality, it only grants substantial longevity. I um... I use transfiguration to look like this." Minerva confesses with a faint bush.
"Do you look older naturally?" Hermione was curious, she was an analytical mind after all.
"Younger." Minerva confirmed.
"May I see?" Hermione watched as instead of answering the older woman closed her eyes and concentrated, slowly the crows feet disappeared and youth returned to the usually stoic features. Minerva now looked to be in her late thirties, early forties at most.
"Wow. You are so much more beautiful than anyone realises." Hermione breathed out the realisation.
"Thank you... now... are you ready?" Hermione frowned slightly.
"Ready for what?" The young witch really had no idea what the woman was on about.
"For our first date silly. I'm taking you to dinner in London." Minerva grinned and Hermione stared.