I am bending to the will of the fans. Here, my dear readers, is an update for what you have all nicknamed "Lines". Enjoy!
Hermione didn't sleep much that night. A few hours, perhaps, but her mind was far too preoccupied with how Minerva had seduced her, shagged her utterly senseless, and then turned away and not said a word. She would never have expect that the stoic Headmistress was the type to screw and not have emotion involved at all, but apparently she was. Rustling next to her alerted Hermione that Minerva had awoken. "Good morning," she said softly.
Minerva stiffened, and as if by reflex pulled the covers tightly around her still naked body. She said nothing for a minute, and then much to Hermione's surprise, found a way to completely sidestep talking about the fact that they'd had sex. "We better get up and get ready to go, if we're to meet Misters Potter and Weasley in time for brunch."
"Of course," Hermione muttered, trying not to show the confusion in her voice. If Minerva didn't want to talk about, then the younger witch supposed that they simply wouldn't. This relationship was not based on love; she should have known better than to expect anything other than cold detachment from the older woman.
The two showered separately, dressed privately, and overall behaved as if not only did they not have sex the night prior, but as if they had no relationship of any sort, let alone that they were married. Hell, for all Hermione knew, she could be pregnant right this minute with Minerva's child.
They'd risen late, so by the time they were ready to leave it was nearly ten thirty, giving them just enough time to stop by Filius' office and remind him they were going to be out of the castle for a few hours, before they needed to head down to the Three Broomsticks, where Harry and Ron were expecting to meet the third of their now legendary trio. "You don't have to come today," Hermione commented as they reached the path that led down to Hogsmeade.
"You did not shy away from greeting colleagues as my wife," Minerva replied, offering a gentle smile. "And thus, I shall not shy away from meeting your friends as yours."
"Alright," Hermione nodded. "Let's go then."
They walked in silence, mostly. As they walked past the Whomping Willow, Minerva mentioned Remus, and they shared some memories of the now dead werewolf. Hermione told Minerva that her former Professor had looked at Minerva like a mother, and Minerva said that Remus had once admitted to have taken a fancy to Hermione.
Before long, they arrived at the Three Broomsticks, and with a sigh, Hermione pushed the door open and stepped inside. Harry and Ron were already there, looking anxious as they sat waiting at one of the far tables.
"Hermione!" Harry called.
"Hey 'Mione!" Ron greeted with a smile. Then, his grin faltered when he saw the Headmistress following behind his best friend. He glanced over at Harry, whose own face had gone slightly pale, and mouthed, "McGonagall?"
"Harry, Ron," Hermione said, biting her lip. "I believe you both know Minerva."
The boys gawked at her. Harry found his tongue again first, and taking a deep breath he stood and stepped forward, pulling Hermione into a hug, and then much to everyone's surprise, pulling Minerva into a firm, albeit awkward hug as well. "Welcome to the family, Professor McGonagall," he said.
"Thank you, Mr. Potter," Minerva said tenderly, returning the embrace. "Though I do think that unless you intend to start addressing Hermione as Mrs. McGonagall, it would be far simpler to call me Minerva."
"Right, of course," he said, blushing. "Might take a bit of getting used to."
"Hey, Minerva," Ron greeted. He didn't go so far as hugging his former Professor, but greeting her by name was enough for Hermione. It really did make her happy that both the boys had found it in their hearts to accept that their best friend was now married to the Headmistress of Hogwarts.
"So, Hermione," Harry said, pointing at the table, indicating the other three should join him in taking a seat. "You living up at the castle now?"
"For the moment," she replied, "Though Minerva and I bought a cottage here in Hogsmeade which will become the primary residence for us, once it's all fixed up."
"Need some help with that bit?" Ron asked, taking a sip of his pumpkin juice. "The fixing up of the cottage."
"Hermione was hoping you boys would be available to give her a hand," Minerva stated. "As I have a school to run, my availability will be limited."
"Totally understandable," Harry noted. "And sure, we'll give her a hand. I'm sure Arthur, Ginny, and George would also be able to spare some time."
"Maybe Bill as well," Ron agreed. "Also, Pretty Boy could come get his hands dirty for a change."
"Pretty boy?" Minerva asked.
"Draco," all three young adults chorused.
"Ah…" the older witch nodded, understanding.
Hermione and Minerva remained and chatted with Harry and Ron for another hour, talking mostly about what needed done to the cottage, though Ron did have the audacity to inquire if they'd shagged yet, and Harry had wanted to know how many calming draughts they had each consumed so far in their marriage, as a means of putting off their respective tempers. Minerva had wanted to hex Harry for his comment (Hermione had hexed Ron for his.), but Hermione had elbowed her and said that it wasn't such a bad idea - to keep calming draughts stocked in the medicine cabinet for when one or both of their tempers seemed to be getting the better of them.
As they made their way back towards Hogwarts at half past noon, there was silence, much as there had been on the way down to Hogsmeade, though this time, Hermione had felt that it was a comforting one. There was something decidedly serine about walking hand in hand with her wife, after having discussed how to go about putting their future home to rights. Now, Hermione mused, if only they could manage to find that same serenity in their relationship.
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