As for questions about Hermione's animagus, i hope this answer is satisfactory. If you don't know what the animal is i suggest you google it because i they are cute and awesome.
Reviews encouraged
Hermione was still reeling from this new information even after Minerva had transfigured Hermione's robes into a deep red strapless cocktail dressed that hugged her figure nicely. Minerva had snickered when she looked down to transfigure Hermione's shoes into heels only to realise Hermione was sporting a semi. Hermione had flushed and cast a glamour over her lap before sheathing her wand in a garter holster on her thigh beneath her dress. Once that was all done and her hair was brushed out but left down they left, apparating right from the Headmistress' office.
Now sitting in the rather fancy restaurant the young witch took up her glass of champagne and downed half of it. Minerva watched with a half smirk and a raised eyebrow as the young woman's mind worked. It didn't usually take so long for Hermione to absorb new information but it was clear this time she was struggling. Minerva was content to sit and watch the attractive blonde work it out.
Finally Hermione picked up her glass again and swallowed down the rest of her champagne.
"Do you have muggle money to pay for this?" Hermione had obviously shocked the older woman with her question as the emerald eyes widened and her lips parted.
"What?" Minerva mutters not sure what just happened now. Hermione smirks.
"Now I know you're only in your 40's then you cant possible expect me to believe you are hard of hearing." Hermione retorts playfully.
"Well you got over that suddenly." Minerva pouted before subtly pulling a small black object from her bra and handing it to Hermione.
"I processed and I get it. Actually i'm a little bit jealous. Longevity for the sake of knowledge! Marry me." Hermione gushed silently as she subtly enlarged the purse and sat it on her lap.
"You wont have sex before the third date but you're proposing?" Minerva chuckles at the brunette. Hermione rolls her eyes and huffs.
"Quick question. If we married before the third date would the marriage night over rule the third date rule?" Minerva asked teasingly before Hermione could speak.
"No. We wouldn't consummate until after the third date. You have to wine and dine me before you get any of this." Hermione gestured her entire self.
"Are you a shower or a grower?" Hermione went bright red at this question and rubbed her face.
"Minerva! Stop..." Hermione hissed at the woman, she was ok with teasing but she was also pretty sure that the older woman was serious when she asked. She would simply have to wait and see.
"You're a virgin obviously?" Minerva's tone was a lot more gentle now.
"I am yeah. That's not... not a problem is it because all jokes aside... I really want to try and see if there cant be something more between us than just colleagues." Hermione confessed softly.
"It isn't a problem, not even a little bit. Hermione I didn't ask you out because I want to sleep with you. I mean I am hoping to be able to sleep with you at some point but... I've had less than professional feelings for you for the last couple of years. I just didn't realise those feelings might be mutual until very recently so I... well I want to date you because I want to know you on that level." Minerva made her own admission in a soft sincere voice.
"I'd love that... So... does that make you my girlfriend?" Hermione wiggled her eyebrows becoming playful again.
"I will let you know later. If you're a bad kisser its not going to work." Minerva retorted with a glint in her eyes.
"No pressure huh?" Hermione dead-panned. The two looked at one another for a moment before laughing together.
The rest of the date was spent with easy pleasant conversation, of course it always had been easy with the two even when their relationship had been strictly that of teacher/student. They spoke about their pasts such as growing up with their respective families. Hermione learned that Minerva had two brothers and several nieces and nephews though she hadn't seen any of them for too long. Minerva in turn learned that Hermione was an only child and had grown up rather reclusive. Her parents had always loved her regardless of her anatomy but had encouraged Hermione to keep it to herself as it was rare and many people wouldn't understand.
They were still giggling and laughing and telling stories at almost midnight that night in Minerva's quarters. Eventually they sobered up and sat in companionable silence for a long few minutes before finally Hermione got to her feet. She gestured the door leading out of Minerva's living quarters and looked down at the still seated woman. Minerva looked at the door before looking up at Hermione and slowly standing.
The two stood close together for a moment before Minerva gently reached out, curling her hand around the back of Hermione's neck and pulling the brunette into a kiss. Initially it was a simply brushing of lips but it soon evolved into something deeper and more passionate. Neither had planned on the lip lock to escalate like this but they didn't shy from it. Minerva opened her mouth when Hermione's exploring tongue brushed along her bottom lip. Neither witch was sure who had moaned when their tongues finally met and tangled.
"Stay the night? I don't expect anything but... gosh Hermione I don't know the last time i've simply enjoyed someone's company as much as I do yours. Stay and let me hold you? Just for tonight?" Minerva pleaded breathlessly when they finally broke apart for air. Hermione searched emerald eyes for a moment before nodding once.
"Alright." She breathed out softly and let Minerva lead her back into the older woman's bedroom.
The two had woken up and spent almost an hour sharing gentle kisses and tender words. Obligations to the school and its student pulled them out of bed and Hermione showered while Minerva returned her robes to their natural state. When it was all said and done and both were dressed they headed for the Great Hall. The week that followed was busy and the two didn't spend a lot of time together outside of meals and training.
Minerva was both pleased and disappointed that the young woman was able to focus on a task. She knew that the girls Mastery training had to come first but the longer she was in the brunettes presence the more she wanted to simply snuggle her. Hermione refused to be distracted though Minerva definitely made it hard. Any time they were alone together now the older woman would drop the glamour, it was an affect that also seemed to darken those chocolate eyes a little.
It was almost three weeks later when Minerva walked into the Transfiguration classroom right before the end of the 6th year Ravenclaw and Slytherin class. She stood off to the side for a moment unnoticed but soon her presence was detected, first by Hermione who smiled at her and then by the students. After the article Rita had printed in the Daily Prophet the rumour mill had been working over time.
The budding couple typically didn't spend any time together where they might be stumbled upon by students but they were often chatting together at the faculty table during meal times and it was a well known fact that Hermione spent time alone with the headmistress a couple evenings a week. Taking all this into consideration the students promptly worked themselves into a tizzy when the Headmistress showed up in Hermione's classroom.
"Professor, you never have your dirty little secret visit the classroom. What gives?" It was one of the returning Slytherin students that spoke up, one of the ones that had very little respect for Hermione.
"I would appreciate showing a little more respect Mr Porter. 10 points from Slytherin." Minerva stated in her Headmistress' tone. The Slytherin, in much the snakes nature, hissed their displeasure.
"Remember what I said, 2 feet minimum on Friday. Class Dismissed." Hermione spoke up in a very businesslike tone. Minerva was more than a little impressed by the barely 19 year olds commanding disposition while teaching.
When the students were gone and the classroom empty aside from the two witches Hermione smiled and strode to the older woman. Minerva watched her coming with a small smirk on her lifts but she was a little surprised when Hermione wiped it off her face by pushing her back against the nearest wall and kissing her soundly. The Headmistress hesitated only a moment before wrapping her arms around the young woman's shoulders and kissing her back.
"To what do I owe the pleasure Min?" Hermione asked throatily when she finally leaned back allowing them both to breathe.
"Date?" Minerva panted out the single word but it made Hermione beam.
"When and where and what is the dress code?" Minerva chuckles and pecks her witches lips.
"That depends on you. See i'm rather interested in seeing your fur and so long as that works out I would suggest a jaunt around the castle before dinner." Minerva supplied.
"You think i'm ready?" Hermione's eyes lit with excitement as she looked up at the Scot.
"Of course. You're the smartest witch of the age. Plus you're absolutely brilliant." Minerva scoffed like it was obvious.
"You... are beautiful." Hermione grinned when the Headmistress roll her eyes.
"Flattery will get you everywhere." Minerva quipped.
"I shall keep that in mind. Shall I meet you upstairs in say... an hour? That will let me finish the marking I was doing earlier." Hermione suggested excitement still shining in her eyes.
Minerva nodded and after sharing a final kiss the two parted, Hermione back to her desk and Minerva off to her office. The hour passed quickly and Hermione doffed her robes and called an elf to return them to her quarters before practically running up to Minerva's quarters. No longer having to knock she simply strode into the woman's quarters only to stop upon seeing she had a guest. Though she only stopped a moment before rushing over and wrapping her arms around a tall slim blonde.
"Fleur!" Hermione beamed happily.
"Ma petite lionne. 'ow are you?" Fleur inquired pleasantly, she was clearly pleased to see the young woman.
"Great but what are you doing here?" Hermione asked pulling back, Minerva watched the two with a smile.
"You 'ave been too busy to visit me so I wrote the 'eadmistress. She explained 'er plans for the evening and asked if I would like to celebrate your impending transformation a little later this evening. She 'as also offered me a job so I am going to spend the next couple of 'ours exploring." Fleur explained a happy glint in her piercing blue eyes.
"A job? Min! You sneaky witch." Hermione accused with gentle eyes.
"Indeed. I caught wind through Molly that Fleur was looking for a more steady job that she didn't have to travel for. That and it appears Fleur has lost her liking for Goblins. Horace is planning to retire at the end of the year so I suggested Fleur shadow him for the remainder of the year." Minerva smiled stepping closer to her witch.
"That's fantastic." Hermione wrapped her arms around the older witch.
"I am glad you approve. If the teasing becomes too much from her just let me know I will stick her on evening patrols for a month." Minerva slipped her arms around the witches shoulders and smirked at the French who looked upon them with a pleased smile.
"I will keep that in mind. I didn't know you knew. She does doesn't she?" Fleur asked looking from the Headmistress to the brunette leaning against her.
"Yes. I was ignoring my mail right after the war so the owls were taking it to Min. She read the ones from you and kind of put two and two together." Hermione explained shrugging when Fleur's expression became apologetic.
"Its ok Fleur. Minerva can keep a secret." Hermione grin and Minerva kisses her cheek before going to the small kitchenette to make tea.
The three witches had tea together visiting before Horace showed up to take Fleur on a brief tour of the castle and to show her the quarters that would become hers when she moved in. Once the French witch was gone Minerva promptly wrapped her arms around Hermione and pulled her in for a tender kiss. Hermione smiled against the woman's thin lips and gently nipped the bottom one before slipping her tongue into Minerva's mouth when she opened her mouth to moan softly.
"That's enough little witch, you have a spell to cast." Minerva spoke softly smiling at her witch who beamed as she suddenly remembered.
"Oh yeah. Ok! Stay there." Hermione hopped off the sofa and magically moved the coffee table off to the side to make space.
Minerva sat back and watched the young witch softly speak the elaborate incantation while flicking and swishing and waving her arm in an equally elaborate gesture. The initial transformation was a slow one and painful. Minerva remembered her own change, the pain doesn't last long but its intense. First its pain and then its numb and finally when your animal is at the fore you get your feeling back. It comes back as animal reflexes and senses and then the human ones come back, if the human senses didn't come back the caster was in trouble.
Hermione's change was going well and when the wand movements ended the young witch dropped her wand and sunk to her knees. Minerva watched impressed as the witch grit her teeth but otherwise didn't make a sound, it was impressive but then the girl had been Tortured mercilessly less than a year before. The witches body began to contort and when it became more animalistic the clothes began to transfigure themselves, each thread already becoming part of the animals undercoat.
It became clear quickly to Minerva that the witch before her was becoming something strictly feline in nature. This information pleased Minerva greatly for obvious reasons. The downy looking fur on Hermione's feline body was turning a brick red color and her ears were growing longer as was her face but only slightly. Minerva watched in awe as Hermione turned from woman to half-meter high Caracal with her short tail, brick red fur and white belly and throat. The cats face was short and quite cute with its 'tear stain' black marks, similar to those of a cheetah's. The most distinct feature was the long black fur growing up off the point of Hermione's ears.
Hermione looked up at Minerva and barked, the sound startled Minerva as she had expected something more akin to a meow but who was she to judge. Smiling reassuringly Minerva leaned forward in her seat. The caracal stepped forward and jumped onto the sofa before Minerva where she began to purr and rub her face on the older witches folded legs. Minerva smiled and rubbed the woman's ears before becoming a cat herself. Hermione barked again and the two felines rubbed faces before setting off on their adventure around the castle.