Hi everyone! it took me awhile to figure out how to add personnel say in (dumb I know).

I did this fanfic because even though I love them I always wondered what obstacles Ron and Hermione could over come and then the idea just hit me (not literally because that would hurt) and I dont know how it is going to end so if any of you have input please review. I dont know why I chose McGonagall for this but she is one of my favourite characters. Plus we don't know much about her so I made a few things up. Enjoy and PLEASE REVIEW!

Disclaimer: sadly these characters do not belong to me *sob sob*

Professor McGonagall walked into the cottage after a minute of Hermione not being able to speak with the shock of being found in the place she thought was deserted.

"So how are things Hermione?" asked Professor McGonagall taking a seat on the sofa and making herself comfortable.

"Um, great Professor McGonagall," Hermione said in a fake happy voice and a smile to cover up her lie.

"Oh Hermione I'm not your teacher any more, you can call me Minerva. Close the door, child, there is an awfully cold draft coming through," she said.

Without hesitating Hermione did what she was told and closed the door in fear of angering her former teacher. Even though this lovely elderly old woman with grey hair tide in a tight bun, with spectacles covering her bright green eyes and smiled with friendliness this woman can be quite scary.

"Um, yes Minerva," that was the first time Hermione ever addressed Minerva by her first name. "I, um, what are you doing here in the woods?" she finally asked.

"Well since you asked me first I will answer. I live here," she said, smiling at Hermione.

"You do! Where exactly?"

"Right next door, child. You can see it because I put a charm on it so that it is invisible to anyone coming into these woods. Well anyone I don't know actually because, for me, I like the peaceful surroundings of this place and I liked the house."

"Yes but it is quite far from Hogwarts, Minerva," it felt strange calling her Minerva and not by Professor McGonagall. "Last time I checked you don't know how to Apparate."

"Hermione I thought you knew," Minerva exclaimed in amusement. "I retired from teaching over a year ago."

"You did!" Hermione had to sit down on the sofa next to Minerva for she felt this was going to be a long and interesting conversation." Why?"

"I'm almost ninety-two, child, even though I don't look it," Minerva giggled and Hermione couldn't help but smile. "As you know I was appointed as the new Headmistress of Hogwarts after the battle which gave me a lot to think about during those nine years."

"How do you mean by that?"

" I was spending more time with my job then actually being with my family," Minerva's tinted with regret carried on" after the war with the loss of loved ones people faced it really made me snap out of it and realise what I have been missing."

"Which was?" Hermione was starting to feel uncomfortable because Minerva's eyes looked very distant and sad. And when Minerva turned to look at Hermione her whole face was full of great unhappiness.

"I haven't seen my children in over five years. We talk of course but we never spend time together and that just made me realise how much I have missed. My husband died thirty years ago and I used work as a way of getting over the grief and it has dominated my life!" Minerva was now really crying and she brought out her handkerchief that she always carried around and used it to dab the tears away while Hermione listened on.

"So that did it. I handed in my resignation, taught my last year at Hogwarts and left the school with a sigh of relief and ready to make a change. And I'll tell you it was the best decision I ever made! My children now visit me again, not much because they live abroad now but it's amazing how much I didn't know had changed in those years."

"I am so happy for you Minerva," smiled Hermione.

Minerva smiled and took her glasses off, cleaned them and put them back on then looked at Hermione.

"Now what are you doing here," asked Minerva in a tone that wasn't judging or speculative but understanding and curious. "I have a strange feeling that Ron isn't coming anytime soon and in your current condition I don't understand why."

"What condition?" Hermione said avoiding eye contact with Minerva.

"Hermione your hands are on your stomach."

This shocked Hermione for she had no idea that her hands were even on her belly and the fact that Minerva was slowly unfolding her secret was putting her in a panic as well for she was not the best of liars so she didn't know if she could keep this up any longer.

"And a woman does not have seven children and not know what a pregnant belly looks like," Minerva added.

Hermione's mouth fell open, "Seven children?"

Minerva nodded, "What's happened Hermione? I'm sure you and Ron can work things out and remember a baby is on th-"

"Please, Minerva, I really don't want to talk about it. Not yet," Hermione was having a really hard time missing Ron and hearing his name just made it worse.

"Later then," Minerva said but then she brought out her wand and with a flick of the wrist a tray of tea and biscuits pop up on the table and picks up a chocolate digestive.

"So tell me," she takes a bite of her biscuit "when is the little one due?"