Chapter 6

Hermione woke during the night hearing scratching at the door. Pushing back her covers, sleepily she moved across the room and opened the door. A silver tabby cat crept through and jumped up onto her bed. Stumbling back to her bed she crawled under the sheets. The tabby snuggled its way under the sheets and nestled under Hermione's arm.

"Minerva?" Hermione whispered knowing the silver tabby is Minerva's Animagus form. The tabby meowed softly and pressed her head against Hermione's hand. Smiling faintly Hermione heard the cat starting to purr. After making extra room for the tabby she closed her eyes and went back to sleep.

Feeling the sun streaming into the room Hermione blinked her eyes open. "Morning" she yawned seeing the tabby sitting on her chest. "You better go before anyone sees you" she warned looking around the room at the rest of the girls still asleep. The tabby stared at her intently, frowning Hermione began patting her absentmindedly. The tabby arched her back and rubbed her head against Hermione's hand. "Minerva!" Hermione growled watching the tabby settle down in her lap. Pouting, the cat got to her feet and sulked away towards the door. Hermione jumped out of bed and raced to the door, bending down she picked up the cat and looked into her green eyes. "Don't be mad" she sighed kissing the top of the cats head then opened the door. Placing the tabby on the floor and expected her to run off. Instead she affectionately rubbed up against her legs. Crouching down, Hermione smiled tickling her under the chin. "I know" she smiled figuring this was her way of saying she loved her. "You better go now before we get into any more trouble" she said giving the tabby a nudge out the door.

All day Hermione seem to get more and more agitated knowing she would be seeing McGonagall in class. At the end of transfiguration class, McGonagall called Hermione to stay back.

"Your essay was very well written" she smiled holding up several pieces of parchment seeing the last of the students leave the room. Hermione looked over shoulder seeing they were the only ones left in the classroom. Looking back at Minerva, she took a step closer and placed her hand over Minerva's. "I want to something new tonight" Minerva whispered.

"Oh… and what is that?" Hermione asked intrigued.

"It's a form of communication from people in their animagus forms" she explained. "I've wanted to experiment for years but I've research it further and it says you need a strong bond between the two communicating" she added staring at Hermione.

"So how does it work?" Hermione asked a little confused.

"Very simple, you will hear me in your head but you'll have to answer back in words" Minerva said starting to pack up her belongings.

"How soon can we try?" Hermione squeaked rather excited about the idea.

"Not until tonight" Minerva replied sighing knowing she had a full day teaching. "Meet me at the Entrance Hall after supper" she answered.

"Ok" Hermione nodded following McGonagall out of the room.

x-x-x

Hermione quickly raced to the Great Hall after studying in the library.

"Where have you been?" Ron asked pilling sausages, corn, chips and potatoes onto his plate.

"The Library" she replied sitting opposite him. Harry looked up and smiled,

"Professor McGonagall looks happier" he muttered.

"What?" Hermione frowned glancing up at the head table to see Minerva grinning away. "Better than yesterday" Harry quickly added still staring at Hermione.

"I suspous" Hermione shrugged starting to panic as she casually helped herself to food on the table. "Pass the salt Ron?" Hermione asked watching him swallow his food whole. "Oh never mind" She grumbled getting no response.

"Huh?" he looked up seeing both Harry and Hermione watching him.

"Oh never mind mate" Harry shrugged finishing his meal. After dinner, Hermione quickly slipped out of the Great Hall unnoticed.

"Where do you think you are going?" Snape asked seeing Hermione about to push back the front doors.

"Getting some fresh air Professor" she replied noticing the silver tabby keeping to the shadows.

"Professor!" Filch cried running up to Snape. "You are needed in the staffroom" he said breathlessly. For the first time in her life, Hermione was grateful for his interruption. She pushed back the doors and entered into the courtyard. Looking over her shoulder Hermione saw the tabby cat trotting after her.

'How are you this evening Miss Granger?' Hermione heard Minerva's voice in her head.

"Good and yourself?" Hermione asked looking down at the cat.

'Very well though a little warn out from the day' she replied stretching. Hermione picked up the tabby and began walking around the grounds.

"So instead of seeing Minerva I'm only going to your animagus form?" Hermione sighed.

'Well Dumbledore said we couldn't see each other but he never said anything about animagus' she said excitedly inside Hermione's head.

"That is very sneaky Minerva" Hermione chuckled.

'How is your study going?' Minerva asked purring softly as Hermione tickled her chin.

"Are you really asking me about school work?" Hermione frowned.

"'Ermione?" Hagrid called walking past her towards his hut. She stopped dead and turned around.

"Hi Hagrid" she smiled.

"What 'ou doin' out so late?" he frowned.

"Just going for a walk" she answered.

"Found a new friend 'ave you" he queried looking down at the tabby in her arms.

"Oh…" she paused "Yeah. I think it's a stray, I found it wondering the castle" she lied.

'A stray? And stop calling me it' Minerva shouted angrily making Hermione winced.

"Somethin' the matter?" Hagrid asked concerned.

"No, no" Hermione replied quickly shaking her head.

"Don' look real friendly, does it?" Hagrid said as the tabby bared her teeth and hissed acting like a stray.

"That's why I thought it ought to live outside rather than inside the castle. Who knows who might fall in love with this kitty and want to adopt it" she shrugged.

'Me, adopt me!' Minerva cried. Hermione had to concentrate very hard not to burst out laughing from Minerva's remark.

"I should probably head back inside" Hermione said clearing her throat.

"'Es you should" Hagrid agreed and continued towards his hut. Hermione waited till Hagrid and shut the door behind him before glaring down at Minerva.

"That wasn't funny!" she growled throwing the tabby to the ground.

'Not even a little bit?' she asked trotting after Hermione. She didn't reply as Hermione walked briskly back to the castle doors. Dumbledore was standing on the other side of the doors when Hermione entered.

"Miss Granger…" he paused to stare at her intently. "What were you doing out so late and all alone?" Dumbledore asked glancing over her shoulder. "You should be back in the common room" he added.

Just gone for a walk Headmaster to clear my head" she smiled and prayed Minerva stayed out of sight.

"Well, off to bed with you" he ordered. Half way down the hall, Hermione glanced over her shoulder seeing the tabby slip through the crack in the door and crept into the shadows.

'Goodnight Mione. Sweet dreams my love' Hermione heard Minerva's voice faintly say.

x-x-x

It had almost a month since Hermione and Minerva were alone together since that night out in the grounds. Minerva had told Hermione it was a very close shave between getting caught and she didn't want to risk it again.

Hermione sat up in bed with her sheet twisted around her. This was the third night in a row which she dreamt about Minerva. Untangling herself, she slipped out of bed pulling on her dressing gown and went downstairs into the common room. Sitting in front of the fire she watched the flames rise up. Hermione's head began to spin remembering the dream, 'This is so unfair' she grumbled to herself.

Grinning, she had thought up a brilliant idea to get close to Minerva once more. Quickly getting to her feet she climbed back up the stairs but instead of going to the girls' dormitory, Hermione turned right and walked to the boys room. Gently pushing back the door she found everyone fast asleep. 'Harry let me borrow it once before, he wouldn't mind me using it again' she convinced herself as she crossed the room. Hermione stopped dead hearing the floorboard creak, looking around none of the boys had heard. Sighing with relief, Hermione moved to Harry's footlocker and grabbed his Invisibility Cloak. Sneaking back out of the room, she hurriedly draped it over her body and left the common room.

"Alohomora" she whispered waving her wand at the door. It swung open and she smiled seeing Snape's personal collection of potion ingredients. 'Serves him bloody right. This is all his fault anyway' she thought grabbing the ingredients she needed for the potion. Closing the door behind her, Hermione then headed for the girls bathroom to make the potion. After an hour later the potion was finally ready. Draining every last drop from the bottle, Hermione decided to quickly return to the common room before it started to take effect. She returned Harry's cloak then quickly moved to her own before just in time before she collapsed.

"Hermione" she heard Ginny calling. Opening her eyes she saw her friend standing next to her bed.

"You missed breakfast. Ron and Harry made me come and check on you. Ron has already gone to fetch Professor McGonagall" she explained as Hermione tried to sit up but decided it was a bad idea when the room spun. "You look terribly. Are you feeling ok?" she asked. Suddenly the door swung open and Minerva stepped through.

"What seems to be the problem? Mr Weasley didn't say much" she frowned staring at Hermione.

"I think she is sick Professor" Ginny piped up seeing Minerva swiftly crossing the room. Minerva reached down at felt Hermione's forehead and she definitely had a temperature.

"How do you feel?" Minerva asked crouching down next to Hermione's bed.

"My throat is killing me, my nose is all stuffy and it feels like someone is playing the drums in my head" she groaned.

"Right, Madam Pomfrey for you" Minerva said pulling back the sheets and helped her to her feet. Quickly throwing her dressing gown around her, Minerva draped an arm around her shoulder and placed her left arm around Hermione's waist to support her. Ginny quickly rushed to the other side and did the same. Hermione stroked Minerva's shoulder only to get a disapproving glare from her. Reaching the Hospital Wing, Madam Pomfrey assigned a bed at the end of the Wing to Hermione.

"I think she has a fever Poppy" Minerva stated looking up at the nurse.

"I'll make my own assessment Minerva" she said quickly checking Hermione's symptoms. "She has a fever" Madam Pomfrey stated moments later. "Total bed rest" she said quickly rushing away.

"I'll visit you later. I better go tell Ron and Harry" Ginny said waving goodbye and left. Minerva watched Ginny go then sat down in the chair next to the bed and dragged it closer to Hermione. There was silence between the two as they stared at each other. It was clear that Hermione would be stuck in bed for several days and obvious Hermione would not able to attend class.

"I'll let your teachers know you won't be in class today" Minerva said rising to her feet. "I'll visit you later this afternoon" she smiled and quickly looked around before kissing Hermione on the cheek. She smiled watching McGonagall walk down the aisle and out of the room. Feeling content, she breathed deeply and fell asleep.

That afternoon, Hermione kept glancing at the door hearing footsteps hoping it would be Minerva. Each time she was disappointed seeing it not Minerva.

"How are you feeling Miss Granger?" Dumbledore asked walking towards her.

"A little better" she nodded sitting up.

"Good" Dumbledore smiled sitting down in the seat. There was a uncomfortable silence as headmaster and student stared at each other. "Did you do this on purpose to be with Minerva?" Dumbledore asked quietly minutes later.

"What do you expect" she croaked.

"Well I'd expect that it won't become a habit of yours" he said sternly.

"Change your mind about us" she pleaded.

"I cannot" he frowned.

"I can't promise anything then" Hermione growled turning away hiding her tears. Seeing this was a losing battle, Dumbledore rose to his feet.

"I do hope you feel better soon" he mumbled.

"Thank you sir" she muttered still avoiding eye contact with him. Sighing, Dumbledore left the Hospital Wing and passed Minerva on the way to the exit.

"I brought you something" she smiled reaching Hermione's bed. Hermione perked up as Minerva stood beside her.

"What did you bring?" she asked trying to get a peek of her present. Placing her bag on the ground, Minerva pulled things from it and then stood up straight. "Books?" Hermione cried disappointed.

"Your homework for the day" Minerva smiled,

"Very funny" she coughed. Frowning Minerva put the books away and took a step closer. She took Hermione's hand in her own and stared down at her.

"I don't understand" she muttered. "You didn't seem sick days ago so why all of a sudden are you?" Minerva stated.

"Can you not think of a reason!" Hermione questioned raising her eyebrow.

"You mean" Minerva paused. "You did this on purpose?" she gasped.

"How else was I supposed to be close to you. The whole seems against us!" Hermione shrieked.

"You made yourself sick for me" Minerva whispered.

"If it means having you touch me without causing suspicion, then yes. And I would do it against but I have been warned off" Hermione explained staring at Minerva's green eyes.

"These stupid rules" Minerva growled relaxing down into the chair. Madam Pomfrey came around to take Hermione's temperature and give the daily dose of medicine.

x-x-x

Hermione woke the next morning feeling her hand over the edge of the bed. Looking over she grinned seeing Minerva sleeping in the chair whilst holding her hand.

"Morning" she whispered seeing Minerva open an eye.

"Hello" she smiled "How are you feeling?" she asked.

"Ok, did you stay here all night?" she asked noticing blinds had been put around the bed.

"Yes" she answered. Hermione frowned seeing Minerva stretch in the chair. She began to feel guilty for having Minerva sleep in an uncomfortable position all night. Suddenly the curtain was pushed back as Madam Pomfrey made her usual morning rounds.

"Your temperature has seemed to drop" she said taking the thermometer from Hermione's mouth. Looking up she was shocked to see Minerva sitting in the chair. "What are you doing here?" Madam Pomfrey frowned remembering shooing her out of the Hospital Wing late last night after visiting hours were over. Hermione stared at Minerva, concern evident on her face. "I'll be back later" Minerva smiled rising to her feet. She followed Madam Pomfrey to her office. "Have you lost your mind?" Poppy shouted seeing Minerva close the door behind her.

"No but I've lost my heart" she corrected her friend.

"Did you bang your head and have a mild concussion?" Poppy questioned staring at her.

"No, why?" Minerva asked confused.

"For someone who has no issue with taking points from her own house and yet here you are breaking the rules!" Poppy retorted. "There will be no more sleep overs in my Hospital Wing" she added sternly.

"Very well Poppy" Minerva sighed and left the room.

For the remainder of the week, Minerva would come back to visit Hermione last at night in her animagus form. Hermione was allowed to leave being well enough to return to her own dormitory but under strict instruction to still keep to her bed. That night Hermione sat up in bed covered in sweat. Her body ached for Minerva, 'Even if it's tabby Minerva' she groaned quietly getting out of bed. Pausing before crossing the room she made sure the rest of the dormitory was fast asleep. She slid out of the common room and quickly walked down the dark corridors. Hermione knocked on Minerva's door and within minutes she answered.

"What are you doing here?" she frowned ushering Hermione into her room as she looked up and down the corridor.

"I missed you so I decided to visit you" she smiled.

"And how is it that you didn't get noticed?" Minerva asked looking at Hermione to find Harry's invisibility cloak in her arms.

"I am the brightest witch in my grade after all" she grinned widely.

"You shouldn't be here" Minerva growled watching Hermione walk towards her.

"Shhh" Hermione soothe placing a finger on her lips.

"Hermione" Minerva mumbled but Hermione applied pressure to Minerva's lip until she fell silent. Hermione leaned forward and placed soft delicate kissed long Minerva's neck and collar bone. "Hermione" Minerva gasped gripping her shoulders.

"Don't you want to make love to me Minerva?" Hermione frowned staring up at her.

"Want has nothing to do with it" she sighed.

"What then?" Hermione cried losing her patience.

"We can't, we are breaking the rules" she explained.

"No one is going to know. We are locked away behind your door. But if you still feel uncomfortable then I'll leave before day break" Hermione suggested. Minerva beamed kissing her and let her hands fall to Hermione's waist. Hermione dragged Minerva backwards to the bed to make love to her.

Minerva blinked her eyes open feeling the sun streaming into her room. She felt someone lying across her chest and looked down to find Hermione still asleep. Scrambling back against the wall her heart began to pound against her chest. Realising her pillow had moved, Hermione lifted her head staring at Minerva.

"What's wrong?" she asked yawning.

"You promised to leave before sun rise" Minerva whispered

"And miss the opportunity to wake up next to you?" she laughed trying to be serious.

"This isn't funny Miss Granger!" Minerva yelled jumping to her feet. Quickly crossing the room she wrapped the green tartan dressing gown around her naked body. "How are you going to sneak back to your room now given its broad day light and everyone is up!" she question turning around.

"I'll just pretend I'm going to the Great Hall for breakfast" Hermione replied also rising to her feet and moved to where Minerva stood. She wrapped herself around her and stared up in Minerva's eye.

"In the clothes that you were wearing the night before? Someone will notice" Minerva barked pushing Hermione away.

"So what your saying is you want to break up, is that it?" She snapped at Minerva as she searched for her clothes.

"Never!" she shrieked

"Then why can't we be together?" Hermione protested pulling her top over her head. Hermione quickly found the rest of her clothes from the floor. "I understand perfectly Professor" she muttered glancing up at Minerva. 'She is to bloody proud about stupid rules' she sighed.

"Hermione…" Minerva called as she reached the door.

"Yes?" she answered a little too quick as her heart skipped a beat.

"I do love you, but…" she paused to look away.

"You think I could do better" Hermione finished for her.

"Yes" Minerva sobbed.

"No matter what you think" Hermione said raising her head. "I will always be yours" she whispered lightly kissing her cheek before leaving the room.