Bit of Weasley time in this chapter. Also a healthy amount of Ron/Hermione angst. Enjoy.
Reviews please and thank you. Oh and you are all beautiful, don't forget that.
It was almost two hours later when the two witches had made it back to Minerva's quarters and they were both chuckling as they walked into the rooms. Hermione went and flopped happily onto the sofa face up while Minerva went to her bedroom and put on some flannel pyjama's and finally dropped her glamour. When she returned she had a small piece of a parchment that she took to the lit fireplace and put it inside. Turning she looked at the relaxed young witch on her sofa and walked over plopping herself on the witches lap. Hermione shifted slightly to better accommodate the Headmistress and make herself more comfortable.
"Did you see the look on poor Horace's face? Merlin, that was hilarious." Hermione chuckled again and Minerva joined her.
"I think I saw his hair turn white when you 'mauled' Fleur." Minerva snickered as two plates of roasted chicken, mashed potato and baked carrots.
"Yeah I know. That was the most fun i've had since 6th year." Hermione sat up and kissed Minerva's cheek before pushing the older witch off and taking up her plate of food.
"What happened 6th year?" Minerva asked taking her own plate and settling beside Hermione.
"Well actually, Cormac McLaggen was bothering me something awful in 6th year. Wanted to date me. Obviously I was not into that. Well rather sneakily I managed to make him lose all his hair." Hermione grinned nastily at the memory.
"I don't recall seeing Mr McLaggen without hair." Minerva frowned obviously trying to remember the young man being bald.
"You wouldn't have. He was quite good with glamours, but I knew. It was sweet." Hermione popped a carrot in her mouth and Minerva stared at her for a moment.
"You, my dear, are quite the little hellion." Minerva said appreciatively as she looked over the young woman.
"Little. Pfft." Hermione puffed herself up playfully.
"You are quite little like, what are you? 5'4?" Minerva teased lightly and Hermione deflated.
"I'm not little." Hermione said seriously and Minerva regarded her for a moment before smirking.
"You're a grower then?" She purred at the young witch.
"You're a hussy." Hermione retorted blushing prettily.
"You're adorable. Will you stay the night again?" Minerva grew serious as the two neared the end of their meal.
"I would like that." Hermione smiled and Minerva leaned over and kissed her gently.
The following week went quickly. Minerva and Hermione had become quite the spotlight in the Daily Prophet and Witch Weekly though of course only Minerva was aware of that. Hermione had convinced herself that in the case of tabloids ignorance was definitely bliss. The Hogwarts rumour mill was working over time though both witches were quite adept at keeping things discreet.
Hermione only ever scolded Minerva for not being professional with her during what was her training time. Minerva was both amused and frustrated by the girls focus but was convinced the brunette would be ready to sit her level 1 test within the next two months. Something she deviously decided to set up and have the girl take without her even knowing it. It would take some working out but she figured if it worked out the way she planned the brunette could potentially go up more than one level.
She had spoken to Kingsley through the Floo a few times about setting it up, thankfully the Minister was a friend of both witches so he had no problems taking over the plans to make the set up happen. Fleur was set to move in Sunday afternoon and set up her quarter before shadowing Horace for the rest of the year, not usually something that was done but again Kingsley was a friend and Fleur needed a job. Plus the bit where it gave Hermione a friend their at the castle that wasn't a former professor or Minerva, it was a no brainer as they would say.
Due to Fleur acquiring a job at Hogwarts Molly had decided to have a celebratory dinner and had invited Minerva and Hermione both. Not that anyone was aware of their relationship outside of Fleur, not even the rest of the faculty. Nope it was all rumor as far as the rest of the world was concerned. So they were going to dinner with the Weasley's strictly as colleagues, nothing more.
"Does tonight count as a date?" Minerva inquired early Saturday morning, she had convinced Hermione to spend the night after the brunettes scheduled training.
"No. Tonight is so much not a date we have to just be colleagues and friends. None of this... lovey stuff." Hermione mumbled her voice a mix of sleepy and aroused, Minerva's lips causing the latter.
"Damn." Minerva muttered as she rubbed her body along the smaller one beneath her.
"Wanton hussy." Hermione chuckled as her hands slid inside the back of Minerva's pyjama top.
"Don't act like I cant feel how badly you want me, Miss Granger." Minerva stated firmly with a roll of her hips which granted both witches delicious pressure.
"I wont deny I want you, but i'm not shagging you until after the 3rd date." Hermione was considerably less sleepy and more aroused at this point. Her hands slid up to cup firm breasts and thumbs brushed over pert nipples making Minerva moan.
"This isn't fair." Minerva whine as she managed to muster the strength to push Hermione's hands away and roll to the side. Hermione groaned softly.
"Might I remind you that you started it. I was quite content sleeping." Hermione reminded with a half smirk.
"Oh yeah, that reminds me... What were you dreaming about?" Minerva looked thoroughly interested when Hermione's cheeks went a deeper red.
"What makes you think I was dreaming about anything?" Hermione attempted but Minerva wasnt having it.
"Because you woke me up... poking me in the side." Minerva grinned and Hermione sat up and adjusted herself.
"Ok. I was dreaming about the things i'm going to do to you... after the third date." Hermione smirked when Minerva huffed and she got out of bed going for the shower.
"I'll fetch you some clothes. We are on Hogsmead duty this morning." Minerva reminded and Hermione groaned.
The morning went quite well, Hermione managed to keep track of the students and cast discreetly longing looks at Minerva while she did the same. Typically the Head of Hogwarts didn't have to be scheduled for Hogsmead duty but Minerva enjoyed the time in the village along with the exercise she got walking too and from. Hermione simply enjoyed the fresh air though she hated that there were so many gossip mongers in the village. It seemed like there was a peak during Hogsmead weekends.
When it came time to head back to the castle both witches were pleased to do so and glad to get away from the students. Hermione went to her quarters and changed into some slackers and a slightly over large sweater. Once changed she graded papers for an hour before a small silver tabby cat appeared on the desk beside her. Hermione beamed and pulled the little cat into her lap rubbing her ears. Had it been anyone else Minerva might have shredded them but as she was rather partial to Hermione's touch purred in stead.
"Come on then, time to go." Hermione grinned setting the cat down and heading for the door. She never got to open it before she was pressed against it.
"Not yet." Minerva purred into Hermione's ear. She felt a stirring in her slacks and cursed internally.
"Date? Wednesday? My turn to take you out?" Hermione asked as Minerva gazed at her hungrily.
"Time and a place." Minerva agreed a moment before kissing Hermione hard. Hermione didn't hesitate to return it.
It was almost 15 minutes later that the two had stepped through into the Weasley household. Hermione had needed a few minutes to splash some water on her face and calm down when Minerva finally let her go. Not that she minded being held captive by Minerva by any means. No sooner were they through the fireplace were they each wrapped in a tight hug from a decidedly chipper Molly.
"Minerva! Hermione! So glad you could both come!" Molly gushed at the two women.
"Thank you for inviting me Molly, an evening away from Rolanda is always a nice." Minerva chimed donning her stoic Headmistress person.
"Poor Ro. She only teased you twice this morning." Hermione chuckled and Minerva sniffed.
"A very minor improvement, Professor Granger." Minerva rolled her eyes before walking off to greet the others.
Hermione opted to stay in the kitchen and help Molly finish the food prep. After Ginny, Molly was the one Hermione missed the most the last few months. Of course she had started writing them again but that wasn't the same as being in the same space with them. Molly admitted it was hard to see George so lost every day but that otherwise things were slowly getting better. Finally as things were almost done Molly turned and seriously faced Hermione.
"Dear, I must warn you. Ronald he... he still has feelings for you so you might be warned and I apologise for this evening if he does something to make a fool of himself." Molly spoke softly and the sincerity of her words shone in her eyes.
"Don't worry Molly, It's Ron, he is bound to make a fool of himself. Its part of his charm." Hermione chuckled and shrugged it off. She completely missed the hopeful gleam in Molly's eyes.
Molly had ushered her out of the kitchen not long after that so she decided to go off and greet the others. Minerva was standing talking to Bill and Fleur when Hermione caught her eye and flashed a small barely there smile. Before she had a chance to see the returning smile Hermione was tackled to the closest sofa by Ginny. She hadn't even seen Harry sit down behind her but apparently he had since Hermione found herself sat sideways across his lap while Ginny squeezed the death out of her.
"Can't breathe, Gin." Hermione gasped out exaggeratedly.
No sooner did Ginny let her go did Harry begin to ruthless dig his fingers into her sides making her squeal and laugh. At this point she had the attention of the occupants of the living room as she was tickled relentlessly, no matter how much she begs through giggles and gasped breaths. A moment before Hermione fell off Harry's knees and subsequently the couch, Molly walked in and scolded the young man for being a prat.
"I'd rather you didn't rough up my Professors, Mr Potter." Minerva chimed in her stern tone though Hermione noted the shine in her eyes.
"Ah, of course. My apologies, Headmistress." Harry grinned cheekily at the older woman who pursed her lips and looked at him over her glasses.
"Where is Ron?" Hermione inquired once she had dusted herself off after getting back to her feet.
"He is up with George, they will be down shortly. Food's almost ready." Ginny smirked and the rest of the Weasley's chuckled, they missed Minerva and Hermione similarly rolling their eyes.
True to word a few minutes later both boys came down stairs a moment before Charlie, Percy and Arthur came in the back door. Hermione and Minerva were both thoroughly greeted by the new coming Weasley men before everyone was seated at the table. Hermione found herself seat across from Minerva and between her two boys. Harry to her left and Ron to her right. George was beside Ron and Ginny beside Harry. Fleur and Bill were to Minerva's left while Charlie and Percy were to her right. The Matriarch and Patriarch at each end.
For the first half of dinner things went fine as the group of people chatted about work or home life. Bill was enjoying his work in Egypt but it meant a lot of time away from Fleur who was tired of working at Gringotts with the Goblins, hence the veela wanting a new job. Charlie was enjoying his work but his team had been pulled out for a week due to two of his team mates being squashed by a juvenile Welsh Green who was having a little two much fun with the humans that were playing with it.
Percy and Arthur had been at the Ministry, it was still rather chaotic but slowly getting back on track. Arthur explained that they were planning a election for a new Minister at the end of next year. They were hoping things would be back in order by then and Kingsley could step down as he had rather preferred being an Auror. Percy was doing most of Kingsley's paper work though the red-head admitted to loving it. Arthur had been working more lately, often called out on raids of known death-eater's homes due to the Ministry being understaffed.
It was while Minerva was talking about the school that Hermione felt Ron place his hand on her thigh. She stiffened a little but ignored it in the hopes he would remove his hand of his own accord. No such luck as Ron's hand moved a little higher, Hermione's knuckles were turning white around her fork at this point.
"Hey so... why don't we go get a drink after dinner?" Ron leaned in and whispered to Hermione, his intention was clear.
"No Ron, I cant." Hermione hissed back glaring at him.
"Come on Hermione, you've played hard to get long enough. Go out with me." Hermione wasn't sure if Ron's inner Gryffindor was coming out or if he might have been inebriated.
"I'm not playing hard to get. I am sorry Ron but I am seeing someone." Ron's hand stopped inching up Hermione's thigh and he narrowed his eyes at her.
"Who?" Ron spoke louder now, interrupting Minerva and getting everyone else's attention.
"It doesn't matter who Ron, this isn't going to happen." Hermione pushed his hand away as his face went red.
"Who is it then? Neville? Draco? Or are you shagging Harry right under everyone's nose." Ron accused in his usual unreasonable manner.
"You're out of line, mate." Harry chimed beside Hermione, Ginny was scowling at her brother.
"I'm not seeing any of the above, for your information. It doesn't matter who i'm seeing, you just need to respect that I am seeing someone and keep your hands off of me." Hermione spoke a little shrilly, damn this attention.
"Yeah right. You aren't seeing anyone are you. You're just being a tease." Ron laughed at this and Hermione was fuming. Before anyone could speak up Minerva glared at the young man.
"Don't you read the Prophet, Mr Weasley? Hermione is seeing me." Minerva pointed out much to the astonishment of most of the tables occupants.
"You? You're kidding. Why would Hermione date someone old? Or a woman." Ron laughed again thinking it all one big joke.
"Minerva." Hermione grit out standing up and looking at the Headmistress.
"Yes dear?" There was fire mirrored in those emerald eyes.
"We're leaving." Hermione stepped away from the table, it was obvious she was struggling to hold herself back by how much her hands were shaking.
"I should think so." Minerva didn't even hesitate to get up and walk around to the young witch, the stunned family watched as Minerva pulled Hermione into her side and placed a kiss on her forehead.
"Thank you Molly and goodnight guys. We will see you tomorrow Fleur." Hermione said stiffly but Fleur wouldn't hold it against her. Hermione showed remarkable restraint, Fleur would have hexed Ron's bits off if it were her.
"'ave a nice rest of your evening ladies." Fleur spoke up kindly as everyone else was a mix of shocked and pissed off.
"You... you're really dating ol' McGonagall?" Ron spoke up as he finally regained control of his mouth and stopped impersonating a fish.
"Call her old one more time Ronald and you wont ever want to touch anyone ever again, including yourself." Hermione snarled at the red-head who gulped.
"Fair, but seriously. You and Professor McGonagall?" Ginny spoke up looking between the two witches.
"Huh... For once Rita wasn't lying about Hermione." Harry smirked at the brunette.
"Well technically she was. Rita said we were sleeping together but we haven't gotten that for yet." Minerva had her hand on Hermione's hip the brunette still glaring at Ronald.
"Perhaps that's a good thing, I don't mean to be that person Min but... the age difference." Molly spoke softly and honestly looked like she didn't want to say what she had.
"Dammit! This is why the bloody thing is a secret, too many judgemental prats! I'm the one dating her and I could give a flying-bloody-fuck how old Minerva is! This is our business!" Hermione finally lost it. She didn't mean to yell at Molly but the damage was done, the only thing left to do was storm out. Which she did.