Hermione walked back up to the castle alongside McGonagall in silence. After telling McGonagall her secret, she had retreated inside her mind. Did she know? She's the Headmistress, of course she knows! If she didn't, she surely does now. Hermione thought angrily to herself. She hadn't really meant to tell the Professor that she was gay; it had just slipped out in her haze of anger. If she had had her way, she would never have told her. She knew that if she had told the Transfiguration Mistress, she would know straight away about how she felt about her, and she couldn't deal with that. She couldn't deal with the rejection.

Minerva on the other hand was watching her student as they walked up the path. She was curious about what she was thinking to cause the parade of emotions to cross her face. One she saw often was anger, quickly followed by a deep sadness. She wished she knew what was causing Hermione to feel sad, maybe she could help. Perhaps she could – No she couldn't do that. She could not allow herself to cross that line. Shaking her head, she continued to walk in silence. But as they walked, Minerva kept glancing at Hermione every few minutes. No matter how hard she tried, her curiosity drove her to ask what was bothering the girl – no, young woman, but just before the words slipped past her lips, she bit her tongue and stared ahead.

It wasn't until they were half way up the track to the castle that a sound passed one of their lips. Hermione had been too wrapped up in her thoughts and had missed the section of path that had been washed away in the last storm. Her foot slipped out from under her and twisted as she over balanced.

Falling backwards, Hermione admitted a small yell. "Ahhh!"

Reacting before her student came to any harm; the emerald clad witch twisted around and wrapped her long arms around the young witch's waist, catching her just before she had the chance to hit the ground. She held her against her chest tightly. So tight in fact, she could feel the young lady's chest rising and falling rapidly as she tried to process what had happened. Slowly, Minerva pulled back and looked down at the student in her arms. Her face clearly showed her shock, but whether it was over her fall or that her old Transfiguration Professor had held her in such an intimate way, Minerva did not know. Helping the girl to stand up straight, the tall witch went to take a step back to give her some room, but didn't get the chance as Hermione fell forward and landed in front of her on her hands and knees with a loud hiss.

Crouching down, Minerva reached out and placed her hands on Hermione's shoulders. "Are you alright Miss Granger?" She asked, concern clearly lacing her words.

"Fine Professor." Hermione ground out through clenched teeth.

Taking a deep breath, Hermione pushed herself up on to her knees then slowly sat down on her left side, looking down at her trapped ankle. Minerva, seeing where she was looking, moved down her out stretched leg and reached out to touch her ankle, only to pull her hand back as if it was burned when Hermione released a hiss of pain. Looking up at the young woman with an apologetic expression, the Scottish witch moved her hand back, hovering just above where the hard rock was scratching at the smooth skin.

"I am sorry Hermione, but this will hurt." She said softly.

Hermione nodded her head in a jerking movement and gritted her teeth in preparation for the pain. Instead of the intense pain she was expecting when her Transfiguration Professor touched her ankle, a strong tingling sensation began where her soft hand made contact with her skin and spread upwards. Before she knew it, her whole body was enveloped in the sensation. It felt as if she was floating on a warm breeze. Relaxing, she sighed almost silently, only to gasp in pain when her ankle was twisted and pulled out of the tight gap in one quick movement. But once her ankle was stopped being moved around, the tingling sensation came back. Almost instantly the pain etched into her expression disappeared.

Minerva looked up from where her hands rested, still wrapped around the delicate ankle, and watched as the pain left the younger witch's face only to be replaced with something different all together. Before she could figure out what it was, it was gone. Blinking, she refocused on her injured student and moved her hand to rest on her shoulder.

"Are you okay Miss Granger?"

Hermione nodded her head, breathing heavily. She didn't trust herself to talk at that moment.

"Do you think you can walk?" Minerva asked, glancing at the rapidly colouring skin near her other hand.

Swallowing hard, Hermione nodded again. "I'll certainly try." She said bravely.

Smirking slightly, Minerva arched her eyebrow in amusement. "Indeed."

Standing up quicker than anyone would believe, Minerva held out her hand for Hermione to take. As Hermione placed her smaller hand in Minerva's and pulled herself up, Minerva moved her left arm to wrap around the girls ribs in aide. It took a minute, but Hermione was standing up, leaning heavily on the Headmistress. Gasping, Hermione squeezed her eyes shut as the pain shot up her leg when she placed her weight on the injured ankle. Almost losing her balance, Hermione automatically reached out and grabbed on to McGonagall's robes desperately. When the pain passed, Hermione forced herself to open her and look up at her head of house. Concerned eyes looked back down at her.

"I don't think I can walk." She whispered almost to herself.

Nodding her head, Minerva released her hold on the young witch's hand, but did not remove her arm. "Very well, hold on." She warned, before bending down slightly and winding her arm around Hermione's legs.

Before she could say or do anything, Hermione found herself being picked up and cradled by her secret crush. Instinctively Hermione wound her arms around Minerva's neck and pulled herself closer. Blushing, Hermione looked down at her legs, refusing to look at her favourite Professor. Shaking her head, Minerva started walking up to the castle again. Even with the extra weight of another person, her brisk pace did not slow down. As she carried Hermione, thoughts raced through her mind, each one attempting to hold her attention only to be crushed by another one. Why didn't you just levitate the girl Minerva? But holding her is so much- No! Stop it Minerva. She is your student. Yes, a student you care for more than you should. That doesn't matter; she is still a student under my care! But not for much longer. A voice in the back of her mind whispered. She frowned as she realized whose voice it was.

Albus Bloody Dumbledore's.

Even in death he was still tormenting her about her privet life.

Sighing, she focused back on the pathway in front of her.

Unknown to her, Hermione had been watching her as she was lost in her thoughts. One thing had been playing on her mind since the Professor had picked her up. Drawing all of her courage, she spoke quietly. "Why didn't you just levitate me up to the castle?"

Without looking down, Minerva answered sharper then she intended to. "Just because one can, Miss Granger, does not mean one should."

Feeling a pang of hurt at the irritated tone, Hermione looked back down at her legs, hiding the tears that were gathering in her eyes. "Sorry."

Minerva sighed sadly at the whispered apology and shook her head. "No, I am sorry. I did not mean to sound so harsh. I was lost in thought and my thoughts annoyed me."

Not looking up, Hermione nodded her head in acceptance before cautiously laying it against her Professor's shoulder.

So I have an idea for the next chapter, but I doubt I will write it up any time soon.

Assignments have been handed out and exam block is in just 3 weeks and I need to study.

…

Oh who the hell am I kidding, I'm not going to study.

But I still doubt I'll update this for a while.

But maybe I will post something new, just for all of you to hold on to. :)

Anyway, enough yabbering.

Good night.

Ro.