The New Year's staff party was held in Hogsmeade at The Three Broomsticks, as it was each year. Madam Rosmerta always provided delicious food, endless spirits and lively entertainment, namely the attendees. Madam Pince, the librarian, and Professor Binns, the history of magic teacher, stayed behind with the few students that remained, along with Malachai and William, to have their own New Year's party in the Great Hall complete with food, sweets and Butterbeer. Peeves and Nearly Headless Nick provided all of the entertainment, some events planned and some not.
The Three Broomsticks was noisy and boisterous and definitely a good time waiting to happen. Madam Rosmerta spelled serving utensils to dole out plenty of roast beef and chicken, peas, carrots, mashed potatoes and Yorkshire pudding along with an assortment of goodies provided by Ambrosius Flume, owner of Honeydukes, that included pumpkin pasties, cauldron cakes, sherbet balls and acid pops. The latter was per Albus as they were his favorite. The buffet tables were lavishly decorated with red and green silks and velvets while candles of all shapes and sizes shone brightly in between the numerous platters of food.
There were also a wide variety of spirits and reactions to go with them. Sybill Trelawney was making up constellations and trying to convince others of their locations after too much sherry; Filius Flitwick was demonstrating his championship dueling moves from years ago after a few spiked cherry syrups over ice, using the small umbrella in his drink as a sword once he spelled it larger; Hagrid became a bit mushy over Norbert after a couple large tankards of mulled mead; Madam Hooch, who had been invited back for the party, was enthusiastically retelling exciting plays from past Quidditch games as she sipped eggnog spiked with Ogden's Firewhiskey; Minerva, ever the Quidditch fan, was not far away with her red currant rum, throwing in her high-spirited comments since she'd been at most of the games Madam Hooch spoke of; Pomona Sprout sipped elderberry wine and was giggling at most everything anybody said; Severus and Remus did straight shots of Firewhiskey, getting into friendly but heated debates over whose house was better when they attended Hogwarts while Hermione drank pumpkin juice and made sure their jesting didn't get out of hand along with Ginny who had chosen mead as her drink and feeling terribly flirtatious and, last but not least, Albus, who had a little bit of everything, was hugging everyone in the room.
"If you look past the third moon of Saturn, there is the constellation of the warlock Xanderanobi," Sybill was saying, sherry in one hand, the other lifted up as if pointing to the heavens, her gold plated bangle bracelets clinking against each other. "Sometimes gifted Seers, such as myself however, are the only ones who can see it."
"I know it's been years since Norbert was taken away," Hagrid was saying, eyes filled with tears, large fingers of one hand clutching the pewter tankard the size of a Muggle milk jug while his fallen tears nestled in the black wiry mess of his bushy beard. "But I still miss him and hope he's not mad at me fer sendin' him away."
"Gryffindor was down by one score," Madam Hooch was saying as a small crowd listened intently, her hawk like eyes squinting together while her hands seemed to move about on their own. "And it was as if the chaser could ride the wind the way he ducked in and out and around the other players, as if he commanded the air itself. I'd never seen anything like it in my entire life!"
"And the crowd was in awe, practically silenced by his maneuvers," Minerva chimed in, hand to her chest, eyes wide with excitement. "It was amazing! I tell you we've never seen the likes since!"
"This was the final move that cinched the championship," Filius was demonstrating, everyone stepping back to allow him room as he wielded his enlarged umbrella as he would a sword while Pomona watched and giggled. "I grasped the hilt firmly and did an overcut, then quickly did an undercut and then a hanging stance. He never saw it coming!"
"Severus, really," Remus was saying, pointing an empty shot glass towards him. "You know the Gryffindor class was at the top both academically and in Quidditch our last year. But that's not reflective on you. You were the top of the Slytherin class, that's undeniable." He put the glass down and quickly poured more amber colored liquid into it.
"Does it really matter?" Hermione was asking, wishing they would change the subject. "That was quite a few years ago and so much more has happened since then."
"I don't know," Ginny was saying with a wink. "I think they're kind of cute when they banter like this." Her mead was going down like water and she couldn't seem to stop touching Remus, not that she wanted to.
"My how the years have affected your memory," Severus scoffed, shaking his head and crossing his arms across his chest. "I remember a deficient prevaricator who was caught altering grades to ensure his favorite students received better marks, thus affecting who finished in the higher realm of academia." He paused and rolled his obsidian eyes before saying, "Albus, you've hugged me twice. Please go find Minerva."
A couple hours later, everyone had enjoyed dinner and dessert, some going back to sample the delicious sweets more than once, and all were quite drunk from spirits. Albus, the hugger, was now attempting to dance with moves he'd made up on the spot; Minerva and Madam Hooch were creating Quidditch fight songs that they probably wouldn't remember in the morning; Filius was teaching Hagrid dueling moves which was rather scary for anyone within a ten foot radius; Severus and Remus were making fun of previous professors and laughing to the point one of them would snort, causing them to start all over again; Pomona was singing but no one seemed sure what; and the list went on. Hermione continued drinking pumpkin juice, laughing at all of them and making mental notes of their actions so she could use them as friendly blackmail in the future.
Ginny was drinking and laughing right along with everyone and having a wonderful time. It felt good to let loose and not worry if a student was around or if her son was nearby. When she drank, she turned into a flirt and her attention tonight was solely on Remus. Since she'd sat by him most of the evening, there were numerous winks and smiles and touches here and there on either his forearm or leg or shoulder. What encouraged her was that he returned the winks and smiles and touches and it made her heart race in expectation.
Around eleven, Ginny stopped drinking spirits and started on pumpkin juice. She'd lost count of how many cups of mead she'd had over the evening and was feeling a bit warm, knowing she'd had one or two too many. She ate a little more, hoping the food and the juice would help make her feel better, but close to midnight she decided she had to go outside for just a minute. Her head was spinning a bit and didn't want to be sick, thinking some fresh cool night air would help.
Hermione, who had been watching her friend off and on all evening, was concerned and followed her out.
"You ok?" she asked, knowing Ginny had had quite a bit to drink, instantly crossing her arms in the wintry air. Severus definitely would have something to say if he knew she was outside without wearing her long warm coat, but she would only be outside for a minute.
"Yeah, just needed to get outside for a second," Ginny answered with a smile. "I'll be back in before the countdown." Head still swimming, she held on to the nearby gate to steady herself."
"Remus looks very happy," Hermione told her with a smug smile.
"That's because he's drunk," Ginny said with a laugh that made her wince. "Like everyone else in there." The hand that wasn't holding the railing moved up to her head to massage a throbbing temple.
Hermione laughed too. "That's not the only reason and you know it," she said, pointing a finger at her as she turned and walked back inside, one hand on her large stomach. She didn't want to leave her husband alone too long as he'd told her earlier in the evening his actions were her responsibility since she would be remaining sober. He failed to mention exactly what those responsibilities entailed though, knowing she'd tease him later.
Ginny shook her head as she wrapped both arms around her upper body and inhaled deeply the crisp cold night air. As she glanced down the village at the dark storefronts and admired the enchanted candles spelled to hang in the trees, she briefly thought of Neville, smiling as she remembered their conversation again. She'd always love him and always miss him but he'd been terribly right. She couldn't mourn forever and was getting tired of being alone. She missed the partnership, the friendship, the love, the closeness; just everything. Then she thought back to being in Remus' arms when they'd danced and her smile grew wider. Maybe she…
"Are you feeling all right?"
Ginny jumped and turned to see the subject of her thoughts standing a couple feet behind her, the world spinning before her briefly from her sudden move. "You startled me," she said, hand to her temple again. "Yeah I'm fine. Just had to come outside for a couple minutes."
Remus glanced around at the closed shops, the landscape covered in a white blanket of snow and thought how beautiful everything looked. "It's almost time to countdown," he told her, having instantly missed her when she wasn't by his side. "You sure you're ok?"
"Yes I'm better. Come on," she said turning towards him, not wanting to miss the countdown. "Let's go back inside." After a few snow crunched steps towards the entrance, she felt Remus slip his hand inside hers and turned to look at him. When she saw the question of permission in his eyes, she smiled in response and then looked away, gently squeezing his hand and enjoying the warmth of his skin against hers. She also realized how quickly her heart was pounding. It seemed to match the pounding in her head.
When they reached the tavern door hand in hand, everyone was holding a glass in the air and counting down till midnight.
"Six…five…four…three…two…one…Happy New Year!" The group drank and cheered while spelled decorations all around the tavern whistled and popped and exploded confetti out everywhere and on everyone, colored streamers flying across the room in all directions.
"Beautiful," Ginny remarked as she stood in the doorway and watched the spectacular site before her, turning to look at Remus to see he was watching her, still holding her hand.
"Yes…you are," Remus said quietly, taking a step closer to her and cupping her face with his free hand, caressing her cheek lightly. "Just so beautiful, Ginny." He couldn't stand it any longer, having watched her all night and enjoyed her smiles and touches. And with the Firewhiskey he'd consumed, inhibition was nonexistent. He now had the nerve to do what he'd wanted to do for days and wasn't going to change his mind.
Ginny stood still, unable to move as she felt the damp heat of his palm against her cool cheek, looking up into his gray eyes gazing into hers. She heard the noise inside and knew everyone was hugging and kissing and celebrating the new year but was oblivious to anything but Remus and the incessant pounding of her heart and head. When he slowly leaned towards her, she didn't back away nor did she stop him and was quite certain she heard him whisper, "Forgive me," before he gently touched his lips to hers.
It was a simple chaste kiss but intense nonetheless. When Remus pulled from her, his eyes immediately searching hers for any sign of displeasure, he was relieved when he saw her smile at him, green eyes sparkling with life that hadn't been there for months. "Happy New Year, Ginny," he said, reaching for her other hand and squeezing both in his, wanting nothing more than to disappear with her right then.
"Happy New Year, Remus," she replied, eyes never leaving his, hardly able to believe they'd kissed. She was instantly happier than she'd been in a long time, or what felt like a long time to her. Now her head was spinning for another reason other than alcohol and she liked it.
Before either of them could say or do anything else though, Minerva, colorful confetti falling from her hair and clothing, approached them. "Happy New Year!" she exclaimed, reaching for Remus first for a hug and kiss and then Ginny, loose confetti now on them as well. "Isn't this beautiful? I love parties! And new beginnings!"
As she walked away to find someone else to hug, Ginny wasn't real sure if she'd been referring to the New Year in general or if she'd seen their embrace.
She didn't have time to ponder because Minerva was followed by Hermione and Severus and then Albus and Madam Rosmerta and, twenty minutes later, everyone had greeted everyone else with wishes for the following year with hugs and kisses and confetti all around. Ginny thought maybe no one saw her and Remus because no one said anything and felt certain if they'd been seen, someone would have said so and loudly. All she could think about, though, was holding his hand and feeling his soft lips against hers. She'd enjoyed it and it felt…right. Every time she'd looked at him as they'd hugged everyone, she couldn't hide her huge smile and neither could he, sharing looks that only they understood.
"Come on," Remus said a few minutes later when the embracing finally ceased. "Everyone is starting to head back." He was anxious to take his anti-hangover potion and to chat with her about their kiss, or better yet, do it again.
"Okay," she said as they quickly made their way through the small crowd to thank Madam Rosmerta for a wonderful evening before bundling up and walking out together to where the thestral pulled carriages were waiting. She kept her head down to avoid anyone's possible gaze but smiled when she felt Remus behind her and his hands on her waist as they waited their turn.
Some were still babbling spirit induced nonsense but most were quiet during the ride back to the castle. Ginny was thankful to ride with Sybill and Pomona as both women were silent, keeping to themselves. It was completely dark, which she was also thankful for, because as soon as Remus and she got settled in the carriage, he reached for her hand and held it the entire ride.
Upon arrival at Hogwarts, everyone climbed from the carriages, Remus assisting Ginny, Sybill and Pomona, and headed for their chambers. Remus and Ginny purposely walked slower than the rest and didn't hold hands again until they were out of eyesight, heading towards his chamber hand in hand to take their potion before picking William up from Madam Pince.
"Feel better?" he asked after she sipped from the vial.
"Yes, thank you, much better," she answered, handing the vial back to him, thankful the pounding in her head had stopped and wondering why they didn't take it with them. She instantly felt better as the potion worked quickly. "Tonight was a lot of fun. That party was amazing." She'd never known about the New Year's party at The Three Broomsticks and now she knew why. She'd heard and seen things she never would have imagined from her previous professors and current colleagues. No wonder students weren't allowed!
Remus was completely sober now after taking the rest of the potion and hoping he hadn't done or said anything to overstep his boundaries over the course of the evening. Based on her smile, he must not have. "It was amazing. Best one ever. I just hope my actions tonight were appropriate," he told her now that they were finally alone and could talk. "You know I would never do anything…"
"Remus," Ginny said, forcing herself to ignore the butterflies in her stomach. "I…I will be honest with you when I say that…I'm not completely over Neville yet." When she noticed his shoulders fall slightly, she reached for his hand. "But that doesn't mean I don't want to try."
Was she saying what he thought she was saying? He gently squeezed the hand of the young woman before him that was more beautiful than he could ever remember. He understood the conflicts in her heart and mind having been there himself a few years ago. "It was awhile before I could allow myself to look at another woman the way I looked at Tonks," Remus told her, caressing her hand in his. "We have a beautiful friendship, Ginny, and I have a tremendous amount of respect for you." He smiled and squeezed her hand, smirking and raising one eyebrow. "But I will not lie and say that I'm not extremely attracted to you."
Ginny fought a blush, seeing the look he was giving her and knowing what was behind it, but didn't look away like she usually did. "I can't say I'm not attracted to you either," she admitted quietly. "I guess I…maybe we can continue to…spend time together…and just take our time…with things." She wasn't ready to start discussing anything too serious or intimate.
"I certainly won't push you or rush anything," Remus assured her. "I'd like to take our time as well." He paused and smiled, quickly glancing down towards the floor before lifting his eyes back to hers. "Would it be too much to steal another kiss this evening?" He couldn't help it. He just had to feel her soft lips once more now that they'd finally crossed the threshold.
Ginny smiled, already enjoying the New Year. "Remus, you never have to steal one," she said sweetly. "I'll gladly give them to you." Anytime you want one, she thought quickly.
Remus leaned in towards her, cupping her freckled face with his warm hands once more, and placed another chaste kiss on her lips, keeping his passion at bay for now. When he pulled from her he laughed slightly and shook his head, letting his hands fall to his sides briefly. "I can't believe I'm kissing you," he said, more to himself than to her. "I thought…I always considered you…well…family…sort of…not someone I'd…you know…and now…"
She nodded, completely understanding what he was saying as she'd had the same thoughts. "I've been telling Hermione and my family that we were only friends, that it was nothing more," she confessed. "But I guess I've realized the past month that it is a bit more. I was just…scared to admit it. And then I…" She stopped.
Remus reached for one of her hands again, caressing the top of it with his thumb. "You what?" he prompted.
"I…uh…talked to Neville the other day," she answered hesitantly, unsure if this was the right moment to bring it up but wanting to tell him. "You know…his portrait in the greenhouse?"
"Yes and I'm embarrassed to admit I haven't been back since the funeral," he said quietly, making a mental note to go have a chat soon, especially with recent developments.
"I hadn't either," she told him. "But I finally did and we…we talked. And he made me feel better about some things."
Nodding, Remus read in between the lines. "He told you to move on," he said. "Gave you permission, sort of." He was thankful she could hear it from Neville because he never could from Tonks.
"It's only been six months," Ginny said, shaking her head. "Sometimes I feel like I should wait longer and then sometimes I think it's silly to wait. For what? Being alone isn't going to bring him back. And he'll never be replaced in either my heart or William's." She paused and squeezed his hand. "But there is room for someone else."
"And I'm so happy to hear that," Remus told her. "I've been where you are though. I remember all the conflicting emotions. I remember being confused. Some days were happy and some were so sad. And it does take time but you get past it. You do move on. You can be happy again and allow yourself to love without feeling guilty. I am first and foremost your friend and always will be and will never ask you to compromise your own timetable with this." He pulled her to him in a big hug, enjoying the feeling of her arms wrapping around his waist and holding him tight. "But I will enjoy this next level we've evolved to."
"Me too," she agreed, head resting against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. "This feels really nice." With the aroma from The Three Broomsticks still lingering on his clothes and combining with his musky cologne and leather jacket, Ginny was content to stay put and allow her senses to become full of Remus.
"Yes it does feel terribly nice," he agreed, wanting nothing more than to hold her all night. "But you know what?"
"What?"
"We need to get William."
Ginny pulled back from him as if he'd burned her, mouth open in shock. "Dear Merlin!" she exclaimed, briefly covering her mouth with her hand. "I forgot! How could I forget to pick up my son?"
Remus laughed at her reaction. "It's all right," he said, taking her hand. "We've had a pretty eventful night. I'll walk over with you."
"Hermione, I trust that you did not allow me to make a fool of myself this evening," Severus said having sipped his anti-hangover potion, thankful when the dreadful pounding inside his skull ceased. He always wondered why he subjected himself to the New Year's party, knowing how it always was from year to year. And then he remembered. The last professor that did not attend after being invited hiccoughed bubbles for a week. Reason enough to go, he surmised.
She had just returned to their bedroom after settling Malachai in his bed. Smiling at her husband, Hermione waddled her way across the room to their bed where he was lying with the back of one hand resting on his forehead and the other on his stomach, his black silk pajama bottoms almost blending in with the dark green satin sheets under him. "Hmm, let me think," she teased, carefully climbing in bed. "Aside from that little dance you and Remus performed by the dessert table, I'd say all was fine."
Severus turned to face her with a mock scowl, knowing he'd done no such thing. "You're an evil Gryffindor witch," he told her, raising one eyebrow. He trusted her completely but had to provoke her just a bit.
"And you're a grumpy Slytherin wizard, but I love you anyway," Hermione said, scooting close to him, propping her head up with one hand while the other entwined with his and rested on his flat stomach.
After a glance towards the large bulge between them, Severus looked back up to her, features softened, all jesting aside. "How's the child?" he asked, genuinely concerned. He knew time was close and had already begun brewing potions to assist in labor and reduce pain as he had for Malachai's birth. He did everything in his power to make delivery as easy for her as he could, although labor was never truly easy.
"She's been turning," Hermione answered. "She's ready. I'm expecting contractions within the next few days." She bit her lip for a moment. "Are you brewing the same pain elixir?"
"Yes I am," he answered. "I'm also brewing something for me." He hadn't told her about this yet but knew she'd be pleased.
"What do you mean?"
He smiled slightly. "You've stated you want no more children, to which I agree, two is enough," he explained. "This potion will take care of me so that I can not impregnate you and you will no longer have to take magical contraceptives. I know how much you dislike them."
Hermione smiled at his thoughtfulness and squeezed his hand. "I think that's wonderful," she said. "Thank you." He was always thinking of her and the children and it made her very proud.
Severus rolled over to his side, head propped up as well, so he could face her. "I love you," he said simply. "I wish I could do more." He leaned close and kissed her.
"You do plenty, Severus, and I appreciate you for it," she said when he pulled from her. "Speaking of kissing, did you see Remus and Ginny at midnight?" She just about burst when she saw them in the doorway of the tavern. It was about time.
"No," he answered, rolling his eyes. "I was too preoccupied with kissing you."
She smiled. "I caught just a glimpse," she told him. "But they finally kissed! Tell me what you think of them together. Honestly." She had always valued his opinion, regardless the subject.
Severus inhaled deeply and let it out slowly. Ginny was his wife's best friend so therefore he could not avoid her question. "Dealing with one werewolf is quite dangerous," he began. "Let alone two. However, I have confidence in her ability to handle them with caution. The age difference would have been a concern to me years ago, but since you came along, that is of little consequence. I think they could have a happy, successful relationship." He paused seeing the twinkle in Hermione's eyes. "But if you repeat any of my words to them, I'll hex you and deny everything."
Hermione laughed at his last comment before leaning in to kiss him. Severus was prideful and always had been. She accepted it though as he'd had a reputation established at Hogwarts before she ever came along. And because she respected him, she'd never tarnish that and always heed his requests. But she was glad that he agreed with her. She couldn't wait to talk to Ginny and find out if that kiss meant what she hoped it did.
Ginny knew she would catch grief over the next few days from someone regarding New Year's Eve. Students were returning so she passed time chatting with many of them, doing her best to avoid the faculty, eating meals in her chamber. Friday afternoon, however, Hermione and Minerva cornered her in her own classroom with no way to avoid them.
"So how are things, Ginny?" Hermione asked with an all-knowing smirk on her face, carefully sitting down at a table, hands splayed atop her stomach.
"Yes do tell if there is anything new and exciting in your life," Minerva added on, one eyebrow raised as she waited for a response, sitting beside Hermione with the same all knowing smirk displayed, small glasses resting on the end of her nose, chin in hand.
Ginny laughed at the two nosey women awaiting a response from her and shook her head. "You two are horrible," she told them. "Bloody horrible." She couldn't blame them though, knowing she'd be the same way if roles were reversed.
"Come on," Hermione prompted, hardly able to stand it. "Dish! We saw you kissing at midnight." She just had to know what was going on.
"At first I thought I imagined it," Minerva told them. "But I'm so glad it was real." She'd known them both nearly their whole lives and was thrilled to see them together. They were good for each other, just like Severus and Hermione were good for each other.
Ginny joined them at her classroom table. "Well, you saw us kissing," she said. "What more do you need to know?" She couldn't help but give them a hard time.
Hermione rolled her eyes while Minerva asked, "But what did it mean? Was it just a New Year's kiss prompted by spirits? Or the start of something beautiful and long over due?"
Ginny sighed, picking at a crack in the top of the wooden table with her fingernail. "You have to understand," she began. "I still miss Neville and that's not going to disappear over night. I adore Remus and always have. But…I guess….we discovered we did like each other more than just our platonic friendship." She looked back up at them. "But, we are not rushing into anything. We are not serious or committed or anything like that. I'm not ready for more yet."
Beaming, Hermione said, "I told you. I knew you were falling for each other." She nudged Minerva and added, "I've been telling her for two months now."
"I love you like a sister," Ginny said to her best friend. "But shut up." All three of them laughed.
"From someone who has watched both you and Remus grow up," Minerva began. "To find happiness and love only to lose it tragically, it does my heart good to see you finding happiness and love again. Even if it takes a little time. I don't want to see you rush this either but being able to hold one another makes all the difference in the world." Minerva missed Neville too but Remus was the best man to be with Ginny and her son now. They had her blessing and then some.
Ginny had always wondered about something and thought now would be the time to ask since her personal life was up for discussion. "Minerva," she began, eyes twinkling in curiosity. "Speaking of happiness and love, what exactly is between you and Albus?" When Minerva's eyes opened wide, Ginny quickly added, "You've been into my business so it's only fair to ask about yours!"
Hermione and Ginny glanced at each other before turning to look at their former professor awaiting her response. Minerva sat quietly for a moment looking at them both before saying, "That's not a simple question to answer." How could she explain the beautiful and yet complex relationship she and Albus had shared all these years?
"We have a few minutes," Hermione told her, winking at Ginny. "You know all about our relationships."
Minerva looked back and forth between the two girls, deciding that they were right. It was only fair to share with them because she had expected them to share with her and they were colleagues now, not her students. "Albus and I have known each other a very very long time," she began. "We met here at Hogwarts actually. He was my transfigurations teacher…and my favorite teacher. I enjoyed his classes and often did extra projects and assignments, just to be able to spend more time with him, always astounded at how much he knew." She adjusted her glasses, still able to picture him in her second year class.
"Isn't he much older than you?" Hermione asked, thinking she remembered a vast age difference between the two.
"Yes he is eighty-five years older than me," she answered, looking over the top of her small glasses. "It is a considerable amount. But you have to remember, that's equivalent to a twenty of thirty year difference in the Muggle world." People that practiced magic, especially those who harnessed great power, didn't age as quickly.
"What happened after graduation?" Ginny asked curiously, chin in her hand.
"I'd been dating a fellow Slytherin classmate all of seventh year and we quickly wed," she explained, disdain obvious in her voice. "We spent almost ten years together and were miserable. It didn't help that I miscarried twice and learned I would not be able to have children. He was a pureblood and having a wife that couldn't bear him an heir was useless. I had kept in contact with Albus and immediately came back to Hogwarts after the divorce. It was 1955 and he had just been promoted to Headmaster and offered me the transfiguration teaching position."
When she didn't continue, Hermione prompted, "And?"
Minerva sighed remembering how the first few years were. Many nights she'd cried herself to sleep over the snail's pace of their progression. "Albus had a handful of serious relationships," she explained. "By the time we began teaching together, his focus was this school and the students. He was about one hundred years old, the equivalent of a sixty or seventy year old Muggle." She often wished she could change some of her decisions earlier in life, wishing for more time with Albus. Sometimes she would have given anything to have been older to have had more years with him. The timeturner Hermione had used in her classes had been one of Minerva's attempts at more time with him. Once he'd found out about it, he'd forbidden her to use it.
"So you never…got together?" Ginny asked, eyebrows raised, hoping the older woman understood what she meant.
Minerva's smile and pink cheeks answered the question. "We worked together five years before he even kissed me," she confided. "He kept telling me I was young and beautiful and needed to find someone my age. I wasn't interested in someone my age. I was past wanting children, knowing I couldn't carry anyway, so my students became my children. I shared the vision that Albus had for the school and we became partners and confided things to each other we told no one else. When our friendship turned into more, it wasn't the fiery passion you experience when you're young. It was respect and adoration and…love. We were not a couple per se, we did not have a committed relationship and no one ever knew. And yet we were together in every sense of the word. We're everything to each other so there's no way to pick one term."
"That's amazing," Hermione said, dreamy expression on her face. "And so beautiful. I often wondered about you two. There's just something in the way you look at each other."
"Albus is so wonderful," Ginny added. "Too bad you couldn't have spent those ten years with him instead of the ex." She felt sad that Minerva wasted those years with that Slytherin, knowing the love she shared with Albus.
A sad shadow seemed to pass over Minerva as her eyes and shoulders lowered. "I've made that wish a thousand times," she said with a slight shake of her head, glancing off to the side but not really seeing anything. "I don't have much longer with him and don't know what I'll do when he's gone." She knew the day was coming soon but tried not to think about it.
Hermione and Ginny glanced at each other, knowing her words to be true as Albus had gotten much worse the past couple years. He moved slower, spoke slower and his magic was not as powerful, the tell tale sign of the end being near.
"Let's not think on that," Minerva said, forcing a brave smile. "Albus has had many, many years of happiness. He wouldn't like to hear us talking like this." She reached for each of their hands with hers. "You both have found a special love. Treasure every single day you have. Don't allow ten years of your life to pass with nothing to show like me." She smiled and squeezed their hands in hers. "I'm so happy for you both. But for now, I must go. Just make sure Albus and I are on the guest list." She stood from the table, adjusted her emerald velvet robe and began walking towards the door.
"Guest list?" Ginny repeated. "For what?"
Minerva paused, hand on the door. "The wedding of course," she answered with a quick wave and wink towards the girls.
Ginny laughed and looked at Hermione. "Remus and I don't stand a chance of not being together do we?" she asked rhetorically. It seemed everyone had them together. Truth be known, it made her feel good.
"Afraid not, Love," Hermione said. "Even my usually gruff husband agrees a relationship would be good between you two. And that's saying something."
"He does?" Ginny asked in shock. "I didn't think he even liked Remus." She knew they had an extremely tumultuous relationship and never expected them to be mates.
"I think Remus and Severus have gotten past their differences," she said. "He does not speak ill of Remus." And that was true. Severus hadn't said anything negative about him since before the war.
"I really hope so," Ginny said. "I need to run though. I left William with Albus and he's probably ready for a reprieve from my little man's constant questions."
"I'm sure Severus is ready for me to return as well," she said, struggling to stand up. "This child needs to hurry up. I haven't had a decent nights sleep in a month!"
"Little Sabine will be here soon," Ginny assured her, grabbing her arm and helping her friend up, briefly remembering when she carried her son and how she had to have help in the last month, finding herself just a bit jealous of Hermione's pregnancy, quickly pushing the thought from her mind. She had William and loved him more than anything but couldn't help remembering the special time she shared with Neville before his birth and wishing she could relive it once more.
That evening when Ginny was putting William to bed, she sat beside him and leaned back against the headboard, pulling him into her lap.
"Mummy needs to talk to you about something," she began, holding him close.
"What is it?" he asked. "Are we leaving?" He really liked the big castle.
"No, Baby," she said, shaking her head. "It's about Remus." She paused to look at the face that resembled Neville when he was William's age and smiled, touching his chubby cheek. "Do you like Remus?" she asked.
"Yes Mummy," William answered with a nod. "Lots. He's our friend."
"Yes he is," Ginny confirmed. "But what if he was Mummy's special friend?"
William looked confused. "Special friend?" he repeated.
Ginny chose her words carefully. "Yes, Baby. Daddy was a special friend before you came along," she told him, hoping he'd understand in his own way that a 'special friend' was more.
William stared at his mother, processing what she'd said, remembering Christmas. "Will you dance with him again?" he asked. "I saw you dance and you looked happy."
"Yes I hope we will," she told him truthfully. "And we might kiss each other once in awhile. Would that be all right?" Because her son meant everything to her, she had to make sure her affection towards Remus would not upset or confuse him.
William thought again. "I like to see you happy and smiling," he said. "Remus makes you happy."
Ginny hugged her son, amazed at how much he'd grown up in the past few months, thankful she'd taken Remus' advice about classes with Malachai. "I love you so much," she told him, kissing his cheek. "You'll always be my number one wizard. You know that?"
"Yeah," William answered with a nod and a big smile, green eyes twinkling.
She carefully slipped him from her lap to the bed, laughing quietly to herself at his answer. "Okay," she said, getting up from the bed to finish tucking him in as he got settled under the covers. "Good night Baby. Sweet dreams"
"Night night," William said, clutching his stuffed dragon in his small arm.
Ginny closed the door and walked towards the sitting area, realizing she was smiling. Really truly smiling. She felt happy and content and even her steps seemed lighter. It felt good to feel good again. She couldn't wait to see what the last half of the school year brought knowing time spent with Remus would make it even better.