A/N: I'm soooo sorry for the delay on posting this guys! I've not had a laptop for weeks so I've not been able to post. It's working for me at the moment so I'm going to try and make the most of it as I don't know when it'll stop working again. I should be getting a new one some time next week, so I should be able to post a little more regularly until September when I go back to doing my A-Levels. I do so hope you enjoy this chapter and the next should be up within a couple of days.

Thanks to everyone that has reviewed, alerted and fav'ed this fic. It makes my day so much brighter to know that you appreciate my writing :-)

Chapter Four: Summer Year One

Three days into the summer holidays Minerva decided that she wanted to go to McGonagall Manor. Albus was in his office when Minerva approached him.

"Albus, can I ask you something?"

He put down his quill and looked lovingly into his wives eyes. "Of course you can love."

Minerva cleared her throat. "Can we go to the manor tonight please?"

"Why?"

"Because I'm getting tired of hiding our marriage; it's wearing me out Albus."

"Okay my love." Albus came up and brought her into his arms, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "If that is what you want."

"It is."

Albus nodded. "I hope you won't object to me bringing work home with me."

"As long as it's just paperwork, then I can deal with that."

"Glad to hear it." After sharing a passionate kiss, Albus asked, "How will Hermiones' letters find you?"

"I told her to call Pippin and she will bring them to me and I'll send mine via Pippin as well."

Albus nodded. "We'll go after dinner tonight, okay?"

Minerva nodded. "Thank you my dear."

"My pleasure Darling."

The pair shared a loving kiss before Minerva turned and headed to her office to pack a few things, while Albus finished his letter and had Pippin take the rest to the study at the Manor. He set a charm to route all of his owl mail to the Manor, any that didn't find the Manor would be left at Hogwarts to be collected by Pippin once a week. He was lucky he didn't have much business related stuff over the holidays, and he hoped he wouldn't get called away.

That night at dinner, Minerva and Albus appeared to McGonagall Manor. When they arrived, Pippin made them tea and Minerva flopped down on the sofa in front of the fire and closed her eyes. Albus sat next to her and brought her into his arms.

"Feel better?"

"It's nice to be home," she whispered.

"It is," he whispered back and kissed her crown.

After drinking tea, the pair had a well deserved snogging session on the sofa and then Albus carried Minerva through the corridors of the manor to their bedroom where they made passionate love throughout the whole night.

~0~0~

Over the next few days the pair relaxed and had a wonderful time. One afternoon, Albus took Minerva for a walk around the Manor grounds. When they finally arrived at the bank of the loch a few hours later, a picnic had been set out for the evening and lay together as the sun set beneath the water.

"Today was beautiful, thank you Al."

"My pleasure Tabby."

Hand in hand they walked silently back up to the Manor where they slept peacefully for the whole night.

~0~0~

As good as everything was, it wasn't perfect. Albus had been called away and he just upped and left, not telling Minerva anything. The message he had on his mirror was proof enough that he would be sleeping on the sofa when he got back.

Meanwhile, Minerva had decided to write a letter to Hermione to calm herself down. She gave it to Pippin who took it straight to the girl.

Hermione was in her bedroom reading on her window seat when Pippin appeared holding a letter.

"Little Miss?"

Hermione looked up. "Pippin?"

The elf nodded. "I have something for the Little Miss." He handed over the letter and after being thanked, disappeared.

Hermione smiled at the familiar script on the parchment. Slowly, she broke the elegant seal to reveal the wonderful script of her Professor. Her eyes slowly took in the words before her;

Little Hermione,

I am sorry for not writing to you earlier as Albus has been keeping me busy. How are you my dear? I do so worry about you. Tell me about your holiday so far, the good and the bad. I shall tell you about mine, although not much has happened. Albus and I are staying at my Manor this summer and have stayed within its grounds since the start of the holiday. He is well, but has left me to my own devices for a few days.

I do so hope you are well dear.

Take care Sweetheart,

Minerva x

Smiling, Hermione read the letter over and over, she couldn't believe that her Professor had kept her promise. Hermione dug out a muggle pen and paper and wrote a response. She tried not to get her tears on the letter, but she was sure she had failed. After folding it, placing it in a muggle envelope with Minerva's name on, she called Pippin.

"Yes Little Miss?"

"Could you take this to Minerva please?"

"Mistress?" Hermione nodded and the elf disappeared.

Hermione immersed herself back into the world of Jane Austen as she passed the time waiting for a reply.

At McGonagall Manor, Minerva was curled up in her regular chair in the living room, in front of the blazing fire. A book on transfiguration in her lap.

Pippin popped up in front of her and held out the letter. "From Little Miss."

"Thank you Pippin." Minerva closed her book and took the letter within her hands and gently held it with her fingers. She smiled and ran her fingers over the fine script. Carefully, she opened the envelope and pulled out the muggle paper. Something told her that this wouldn't be the happy letter she was expecting.

Minerva,

I was so happy to hear from you! I was going to send a letter a few weeks ago but I didn't want to disturb your holiday. I'm okay. Going through each day as they come. My parents have planned to go away for the last three weeks of the summer so I'll be here on my own, healing. I've not really done much. I've done plenty of reading and I've spent a day or two our at the park when my parents have been out. I'm reading Jane Austen at the moment so that should keep me going for the rest of the day. I wish this could have been a longer, happier letter.

Take care,

Your little Hermione x

Minerva noticed the tears that had fallen and smudged some of the words and became worried. Immediately, she stood and headed off the write a reply.

Pippin made Hermione jump when he appeared next to her bed.

"Oh, it's just you, Pippin. You scared me."

"Sorry Little Miss. Here's a letter for you. I have to wait for your letter back."

"Okay, thank you, Pippin."

My little Hermione,

I'm so glad to hear back from you so quickly! Don't worry, you can never disrupt anything, you can contact me at any time, day or night. Jane Austen is a brilliant author, I have an original print of each of her books.

You won't be one your own. When do they leave? Are you on your own now?

Minerva x

Hermione sat at her desk and made a quick not to Minerva and sent it back with the house-elf.

Minerva took the letter and her eyes flew over it.

Minerva,

I am on my own for the moment. They are going to leave tomorrow afternoon and are flying out in the evening.

Hermione x

Minerva flipped over the parchment and scribbled quickly onto it. When Pippin disappeared, Minerva grabbed a book and changed into a set of muggle clothes.

Hermione thanked Pippin for the letter and read it.

Sweetheart, I'm on my way. X

Hermione smiled and went to the front door and opened it. Minerva was already stood on the porch. Hermione threw herself at the older witch and Minerva held her close.

"Let's head inside."

Hermione nodded and led Minerva to her bedroom. At Minerva's questioning look Hermione said, "I'm not allowed downstairs when they aren't here."

Minerva nodded and sat next to Hermione on her bed. Hermione leaned into Minerva and wrapped an arm around her waist. Minerva moved them back on the bed so that they were sat against the head board and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"Why are you here Minerva?"

"So you're not alone. I'll come and pick you up tomorrow morning and take you to the Manor and you can stay with me."

"And Professor Dumbledore?"

"Albus. Yes, he'll be there in a few days."

Hermione nodded. "What will you tell my parents?"

"I'll think about that later, right now I want to spend time with you."

"Okay." Hermione relaxed into Minerva and the older witch held her tightly.

"So, tell me about the books you've been reading."

For hours Hermione and Minerva spoke about books and what they wanted to do over the next three weeks.

When Minerva heard the lock of the front door turn, she turned to Hermione and whispered, "I have to go now sweetheart, will you be okay 'till morning?"

Hermione nodded and gave her a tight hug. "I'll miss you Minerva."

"I'll miss you too my little Hermione." Minerva placed a kiss to Hermione's forehead and called for Pippin to take her home. "You stay safe for me."

"I promise Minerva."

They had one last hug and smiled widely at each other as Pippin silently took Minerva back to the Manor and left Hermione to curl up under her sheets and read the advanced transfiguration book Minerva had let her borrow for the evening. She eventually fell asleep with a smile on her face.

Meanwhile, back at the Manor, Minerva was reading over a letter Albus had sent her.

My dearest love,

I want to apologise for leaving the way I did. I know I will be staying on the sofa when I get back, but I wanted to tell you how much my heart aches while I am so far away from you, the other half of my soul. I do so love you. I can't go a single hour without thinking about you. I hope to be back with you soon my love.

Take care and stay safe. I love you.

Al x x x x

Minerva smiled and clutched the letter to her chest. Her heart fluttered. It was a rare thing for Albus to send her love letters and she did so love it when he did. With a smile on her face, and her head slightly light, she headed to bed for a few hours.

~0~0~

The next morning Hermione awoke and packed everything she could into her school trunk, she wanted to ask Minerva is she could get Pippin to take her books to the Manor. She watched the clock and when 10am came about, she was struggling to keep herself from bouncing. A knock at the door brought her from her thoughts and she shot from the kitchen where her parents were eating, to the door. She opened it and smiled widely at Minerva, who was standing on the porch in a muggle summer dress. She was going to invite her in, but caught herself and called for her parents.

"Sir, ma'am, there's someone at the door!"

Jean and John Granger all but stormed to the do. "Who the Devil are you?"

"I'm Professor Minerva McGonagall, Hermione teacher. I was hoping to speak to you all?"

Jean nodded and Hermione let Minerva in.

"Would you like some tea, Professor?"

"If you wouldn't mind, Hermione."

Hermione nodded and went to the kitchen, leaving Minerva along with her parents.

"What can we do for you?" Jean was more polite than John.

"As you know Hermione has just finished her first year at Hogwarts." She waited for their nodes before continuing. "Her grades are the best we have seen for fifty years and as deputy headmistress, I would like to offer your daughter advanced one-to-one lessons throughout the majority of the summer holidays."

"Really?" Hermione asked after placing down the drinks.

"Yes. The other Professors have agreed to it."

"When will they start?"

"You can pack and come with me now if your parents will let you."

"Sir, Ma'am, can I?"

"You can."

"I'll go pack." Hermione ran from the room and to her bedroom."

"Thank you for allowing her to do this."

"It gets her out of our way, the little brat."

Minerva cringed internally, but stayed professional. "She'll be home for the first two weeks of the summer, then myself or another member of staff with come and pick her up. Now, if you could just sign these papers to give your permission."

Both did so. Minerva thanked them and asked if she could go and help Hermione pack. They directed her to the bedroom and Minerva set off up the stairs.

"Hello Hermione."

"Hi!" Hermione threw herself into Minerva's arms. "What did they say?"

"They signed the papers, you can do it."

Hermione smiled widely. "Wow. Thank you."

"You're welcome my dear. Now, are you all done?"

"Just need to sort out what to do with my books."

"Well, I could shrink them all and put them in you trunk, or I could call Pippin to send all of them to the Manor."

"Call Pippin."

"Okay. Pippin!"

"Yes Mistress?"

"Can you send all of Hermione's books to the Manor please?"

"Of course." She clicked her fingers and all 300 books disappeared. "Is there any more?"

"No, the rest are in my Gringotts vault."

Minerva smiled. "How did you do that?"

"I contacted them one weekend when my parents were away and explained what I wanted to do but that I couldn't get them to Gringotts and a goblin can here, took my key and books and came back with my key and statement. Do they do that often?"

"Yes. I use the system quite often."

Hermione smiled and hugged Minerva. "Everything is in my trunk. I'm ready to go now."

"Come on then, sweetheart." Minerva shrank Hermione's trunk and placed it in her pocket and headed down stairs.

"Sir, Ma'am, I'm going now. I'll see you next year."

"You behave Miss. Don't forget to thank them." That was their goodbye.

Hermione nodded and followed Minerva out of the door. When the house was out of view, Hermione grabbed Minerva's hand and let a tear or two fall. Minerva noticed and pulled her close, apperating them away when they were safe.

The pair appeared outside a pair of large gates and Hermione smiled at the grandness of them. Minerva waved her hand and they opened to let them through before closing and locking behind them. Hermione's eyes moved quickly as they walked down the gravel path way. Gardens of flowers, trees and herbs flanked either side of the fashionable way.

"I take it you like it."

"I do. You did this?"

"Me and Albus work on it over the holidays and it keep Pippin busy while we're at Hogwarts."

Hermione nodded and squeezed Minerva's hand as she saw a sad gleam in her eye. When they reached the Manor, Hermione giggled.

"What?"

"It really is a Manor."

"It is. What did you expect?"

"A very large house, not a castle!"

"You approve?"

"I like the outside, but I wouldn't want to be out here when the clouds drop their load."

Minerva chuckled and opened the oak doors. "Do you want a tour?"

"No, if you could show me to my room to unpack, I'd like to discover things on my own. Is that okay?"

"It is. However, I'll tag along in my feline form to make sure that you don't go any where they would harm you."

"You have dangerous rooms?"

"My father had a thing for the Dark Arts. I can't get rid of anything as it is connected to my bloodline."

Hermione nodded. "Okay."

For hours Hermione walked through the many halls of McGonagall Manor with the feline Minerva at her side. It was a nice place and once Minerva had found the way back to the living room, she sat on the sofa and Minerva transfigured back and sat next to the girl.

"Are you okay, Hermione?"

"I am now I'm here. How about you?"

"I will be."

Hermione nodded and curled into Minerva's side hoping to make her smile a little. By the time the evening had rolled around both 'girls' were feeling a little lighter. Days of quietness passed in the garden and library for the two. Hermione was enjoying her time and Minerva had started teaching her, her second year course giving them both something to do. A week into Hermione's stay, Minerva received a letter from her husband. She took it from Pippin and sat on the sofa. Hermione was sat in a chair opposite her with her nose in an advanced transfiguration book. Minerva slowly slipped her finger under the wax seal and her eyes slowly ran over the words.

My dearest Minerva,

I am so sorry to be writing you this letter. My mission has taken a turn for the worst, I'm afraid that I will not be back until the new school year has already started. I am fine so there is no need for you to worry about me and look after yourself.

Stay safe,

Your Albus x x x

When Minerva had finished reading the letter, tears trickled down her cheeks. She held the letter tight in her hands and cried. Hermione looked up and was at a lose as to what to do for a moment. She stood and sat next to Minerva and pulled her into her arms and rubbed her back, trying to sooth her. After half an hour, Minerva managed to calm herself down and sit up properly.

"I'm sorry Hermione," she whispered.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Thank you, but I'm okay my dear."

"Okay." Hermione grabbed Minerva's hand and held it tight.

Minerva squeezed a little and gazed into the blazing fire, the words of Albus' letter running through her mind. 'I'm fine', 'won't be back until school has started' Minerva tried to stop her mind, but couldn't.

"Excuse me dear, I'm going to go and lie down."

Hermione nodded and let her go, following her movements with worried eyes. She sighed and turned to face the fire, thinking of ways to pass the few hours until dinner.

Minerva went to her bedroom and changed from her clothes to one of Albus' night shirts. It held his smell as did his pillow which she held tightly to her as she lay in bed and fell into a restless sleep.

Images of Albus hurt flashed behind her eyes as Minerva tossed and turned. She shot up when a particularly nasty image made itself known. She took a deep breath and calmed herself down enough to lie back down, tears falling down her cheeks again as she sobbed into her pillow.

Hermione tried to wake Minerva for dinner when Pippin couldn't and Hermione too failed, so she let her be. Over the coming weeks Minerva became a shell of her usual vibrant self after receiving nothing from Albus after every letter she sent to him. Hermione would hold Minerva on her bad days, and on her good ones, Minerva would teach Hermione and would smile a little when Hermione perfected a spell or essay. Both 'women' were relieved when the start of the school year came around.

To Be Continued...