AN: You guys have been grand. Thanks for all the kind words and support. As always, for Butterfly who inspired it all..;D

MINERVA'S IN-LAWS

She didn't know how much time had elapsed as she knelt there. Feeling Hermione cradle her lovingly. She felt ragged, wrung out... like and old kitchen towel. She became aware of a smaller body against her side and another hand on her shoulder. There were noises in the doorway too. She just didn't feel like sitting up. She felt her fiance's gentle touch on her back. Stroking over her scars. Ugly reminders of the evil of Delores Umbridge. Under her fiance's soothing touch, she began to relax. Unconsciously she began to purr.

Jean Granger's dark eyes widened in surprise as her ears picked up a rumbling sound coming from Minerva. She looked at her younger daughter, her eyes asking, "What is that?" Grinning, Dawn patted her new big sister's shoulder and whispered, "She's purring." A delighted smile brightened Jean's face as she comtemplated such a charming site. She looked over at Rolanda. The latter had never taken her hawk-like eyes off the muggle woman. The flying instructor's heart pounded at the absolute delight showing on Hermione's mother's face. Merlin the woman was gorgeous! She smiled happily at Jean, then gave a small wink.

Hermione smiled as she listened to her mother and sister. Yes, Minerva had a tendency to purr when she relaxed. When Hermione stroked her in all the right places. It was unconscious on the part of the older woman. She didn't even realize she was doing it.

At that moment a faint ringing sound could be heard coming from the hall...

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Albus Dumbledore's keen ears picked up the sound of the ringing. He'd been standing in the doorway of the living room watching the heart wrenching tableau unfold before him when the ringing started. He noticed a handbag sitting on top of a side table in the grand entry hall. Moving to investigate, he was interupted in his musing by Jean Granger, who came trotting out of the living room. "Oh sorry. Excuse me." She picked up the bag, opened it and pulled out her cell phone... "Hello?"

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"What do you want?"

The agitation in Jean Granger's voice was quite evident as the sound made it's way into the living room. The small group inside looked towards the door, including Minerva. Dawn looked to the door muttering, "Uh oh..."

"I did not say that."

"NO I DID NOT!"

Mystified, Dawn and Hermione looked at each other. Curiosity plainly showing on their lovely faces. "Who might that be?" Hermione queried. Dawn frowned and looked to Ron who shrugged. The younger Granger turned back to her sister and said one word. "Dad." Hooch's head shot up and Minerva pulled out of Hermione's lap to rest on her haunches...

"God dammit John! How can you say that about your own children? How? What kind of a father are you?"

"Yes. Oh yes they are your's you bloody arse!"

Dumbledore's sky blue eyes widened at the vehemence in Jean's voice. Minerva's eyes narrowed to deadly slits as she got the gist of the last few phrases she'd heard. Hermione's eye's reflected the hurt she felt at what she knew was her father's rejection. Dawn's eyes blazed as her blood began to boil.

"He's a nice young man and he comes from a nice family. Stop being such a bigot!"

Ron looked up, knowing he was being talked about. His large hands clenched into fists as he surpressed the anger he felt bubbling inside.

"Yes she IS a lesbian. She doesn't want a nice young man...no, she doesn't."

Hermione's eyes bulged, "Oh God." Minerva placed her hand on her love's knee in silent support. She hoped Jean could control this escalating situation with Hermione's father but hearing the one sided conversation, she began to have her doubts.

"She is getting married.

YES, I GAVE HER MY BLESSING. I SAID YES!!"

Hermione and Minerva exchanged a glance, "Oh boy..." The young witch muttered worriedly. Minerva frowned, she really wanted to have a conversation with John Granger. Really.

"In the wizarding world it is possible. Not only that, but they can have children together too. Would you deny your daughter a chance at happiness? Besides, Minerva is perfect for Hermione."

"Minerva McGonagall."

"NO IT IS NOT A CARTOON NAME!"

Dawn snickered. As inappropriate as the comment was, it was stupidly funny. Trust her dad to be stupidly funny.

"Listen John, I'm coming to pick up the rest of my things. You can either be a gentleman or we can call the law. It's up to you."

"I'm staying with Hermione and no you don't need to know where that is."

"I DON'T GIVE A RAT'S ARSE WHAT TONY AND SISSY SAY... GOODBYE!"

With that Jean Granger closed the phone and hurled it into the enchanted ceiling. "Get rid of it Angus!" The ghost in question, caught the phone and flew down to the floor. He scratched his head saying, "This is how you communicate with your daughters too." He handed it back to Jean and flew back up to the safety of the ceiling. "Oh bugger." The muggle woman moaned bursting into tears. Suddenly she found herself engulfed in the arms of Rolanda Hooch. The flying instructor didn't say a word. She just simply stood there holding the distraught woman close. Dumbledore approached the couple. Gently he took the phone out of Jean's hand and moved back to the table. Jean's purse was open, so he placed the phone inside. Something caught his eye though. Curiously, he began to pull items out of her purse to investigate. No one ever told him the unwritten rule. 'Never go through a woman's purse' so he proceeded to do just that. He pulled out a hair brush, keys, the phone, a checkbook. To him it was some kind of ledger. Next he found Jean's make up kit, a lipstick, a lip balm (which he tried... minty fresh) Smiling, he finally found the item that caught his eye. A long cylinder wrapped in white plastic with pink lettering. "What does Playtex Gentle Glide mean?" He mused not realizing he'd spoken outloud.

Jean and Rolanda had been watching Dumbledore go through the purse. They knew he wasn't being malicious, he was just curious as to what a muggle woman would carry around with her. The answer was pretty much the same thing a witch would carry with her, only in a different way. When they heard him ask himself the question, they couldn't resist. Hooch grinned and said, "It means it's easier to insert." Dumbledore turned around holding the object, "Insert where?" By this time Minerva and Hermione had come out of the room to check on Jean. They'd been observing this little scene with amusement. Trust Dumbledore to find a way to brighten the mood, even if he didn't realize he was doing it.

Jean and Hooch glanced over to Minerva and Hermione. Both couples exchanged a conspiratorial wink before Minerva said, "It inserts into your vagina when you're having your menstrual cycle." Albus's mouth fell open and he blushed beet red. Minerva gave her best friend a feral grin and added, "Men don't have either one of those, although in your case I'm not so sure." With that the other three women roared out their laughter, along with Edeen and Fiona. They'd silently moved from portrait to portrait so they could be close enough to hear.

Minerva took the object from her friend saying, "It's a tampon Albus. You do know what it's used for right?" He shook his head in utter mystification. Minerva leaned forward and whispered it's purpose in her friend's ear. Dumbledore's brilliant sky blue eyes widened in mortification and if possible his face reddened even more. "Uh, uh... I'm sorry." With that, he fled down the hall towards the kitchen. They heard him mutter, "I need sugar." Minerva chuckled as she replaced everything back into Jean's purse. "He is like an overgrown child... wanting to know eveything." The tone of her voice sounded so much like Jean used to when she was correcting one of her daughter's mischief. It made Jean Granger smile brightly and Hermione Granger imagine how her mothering skills would be. As if reading her mind, her mother stepped over to her daughter and said, "You'll do just fine." Mother and daughter embraced tightly.

Hooch placed a hand on Jean's shoulder. There was deep concern on her striking features as she asked, "Do you need help collecting your things? The older Granger shook her head saying, "Just show me how to use that floo thing and I'll take Dawn with me to the flat. My car is there." She looked to her Hermione and said, "I'll call you when we get back." Rolanda frowned, not liking this. "How about I floo you to the flat and wait there?" Jean thought for a moment, "O.K., as long as you promise to stay there and not get involved." Hooch smiled slightly, "I think I already am involved." Jean's brown eyes softened, "Yes. You are."

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Arthur, Molly, Harry and Ginny returned to the house having finished painting. Everyone was curious as to Hermione's condition. The young witch assured them that she was fine and encouraged everyone to go ahead and get cleaned up for dinner. She sat in front of the floo in the living room staring at the green flames morosely. Minerva, sitting beside her, placed a comforting arm around her love, "She'll be fine. Rolanda is at the flat and Dawn is with your mother. As much of a neanderthal as your father is, I do not think he'd harm them." Hermione frowned, "But you're not sure." Minerva shook her head. Seeing that, Hermione leaned back on the sofa, pulling her fiance with her. Running a head through her unruly chestnut curls, she whispered, "Why does he have to be like this?" She couldn't understand the fear that motivated her father. Minerva sighed, reaching out and tucking a stray curl behind Hermione's ear, "Sometimes fear makes us do the most unkind things." The younger witch grunted her agreement, then a wry expression made it's way across her lovely face, "Welcome to the Granger family." She smiled ruefully and added, "Such a drama." Hearing that, Minerva countered, "My family is just as bad." Hermione snorted, "Your family are all dead!" Minerva shook her head, "Not all. My immediate family is deceased, but I have cousins all over the place. Most of them I have never met." Her piercing emerald eyes took on an amused sparkle as she said, "If fact, my cousin Carl lives in a tree." Hermione laughed, "A tree?" Minerva nodded seriously, "Yes, in California." Hermione grinned, "Nuff said."

At that moment, Ron Weasley wandered into the room. Seeing the two witches on the sofa, he blushed and started to leave. Hermione, however had spied the young man and said, "No don't go. Come in." Minerva sat up and turned to see who it was. She smiled at the young man who'd once had a crush on Hermione, "It's fine Ronald, please do come in." The young man in question immediately brightened and moved closer to the two women. Hermione could see he was bothered by something, "What's wrong?" Ron frowned, his blue eyes darkening, "Your dad. If he hurts your mum or Dawn, I don't know what I'll do." He looked up at his friend and her fiance, "Why couldn't I go with them?" Hermione shook her head, "This is between my parents. The last thing my mum needs is you going in there with your wand blazing." She shook her head again, "It's bad enough Rolanda Hooch is waiting for them at the flat." Minerva nodded her agreement and added, "Rolanda won't do anything, she gave her word." She sighed and added, "This has to be handled without magic."

Izer chose that moment to pop into the living room holding Hermione's cell phone. It was ringing out Dawn's ringtone. "That's Dawn." Hermione stated, taking the phone from the tiny elf. "Thank you Izer." She said, opening the phone.

"Hello? Dawn?

What's wrong?

What happened?"

"Oh no, he did not..."

"Alright, we'll be right there."

She snapped the phone closed and said, "I have to go to them. Things got out of hand." She looked to Minerva, seeing the storm brewing in the emerald depths of her stunning eyes. "We need to change. I don't want to show up wearing robes. That will set him off even more." Minerva nodded silently and stood. Together the women headed for the stairs. Ron ran out of the room after them, "I want to go too." Hermione shook her head, "No. The last thing we need is an angry wizard boyfriend storming in there. Please, just stay here." Hermione was adamant, her chocolate eyes hard. "This is something I need to handle." With that she marched up the stairs, followed by Minerva who was staring intensely at her love. The magic around the younger witch was swirling furiously...

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Hermione and Minerva apparated to the backyard of the Granger home. They could hear muffled yelling coming from inside. Hermione reached into the pocket of her jeans and pulled out the key to the house. After she'd left for Hogwats, her father had taken to keeping the house locked up at all times. Hermione never really figured it out... till now. Her mother and her sister were locked inside with him. With her father. With a man who had let the whisperings of other people and his own fear take over his judgement.

As Hermione inserted the key in the lock to the kitchen door, it was suddenly flung open. Standing in the doorway was Dawn Granger. Her short cropped hair standing straight up, her mocha eyes wild. There was a large handprint on her face. She'd been struck by her father for defending her sister. "My God!" Hermione exclaimed, catching her sister's chin in her hand. Dawn shook her head out of her sister's grasp, "Forget about me, get mum"

-to be continued

AN: Alright guys, so what should happen? Remember, be nice y'all. I'm a little tender right now.