After many years I have caught the writing bug again. And want to start with a disclaimer. I own nothing in the Potterverse and make no profit from the writing of this story. All belongs to The Mighty Rowling.
"Hermione, look in the second drawer from the right in my desk, there should be a nice bottle of Glenlivet in there. I think one should find reasons to celebrate as often as one can. And if you finishing your apprenticeship is not a reason for celebrating, then I don´t know what is."
"McGonagall shook the snow from her cape and it elegantly floated to hang itself on a hook next to the door.
"Hermione smiled and opened the drawer, put the bottle on the desk and transformed a paperweight into two glasses. McGonagall walked over to the bottle opened it and proceeded to pour in a liberal amount in each glass. The two women took a glass each and raised them before tasting the amber liquid. Hermione winced a little and laughed softly.
"One would think that after so many years living in Scotland that I would have learned to appreciate whiskey."
"Well, you are young still, when you come to my age I am sure you will be a true connoisseur lass. But until then I don´t mind sharing the odd bottle of wine with you instead. The one we had last week at dinner with the Longbottoms was rather exquisite."
Hermione put down her glass on the desk and sat down into the chair next to it. "Yes, Neville is as picky with his wine as the plants in Hogwarts greenhouse. I am almost afraid to go in there, he pretty much yelled at me once when I brushed up to a Peruvian Wart blossom that he had just replanted. Apparently I disturbed it while it was settling in. He is a great Herbology professor, but I am amazed he allows the students to actually touch the plants."
McGonagall laughed and swallowed the rest of her drink.
"Dear Neville, he certainly rose to the occasion when Pomona decided to retire. He has quite grown into his own these two years. And with Hannah expecting their first child he will finally have the family he has wanted for so long. He has found his purpose in life."
Hermione gazed out the window and seemed to be miles away. McGonagall stepped closer to her and put a hand on her shoulder. Hermione looked up at her and smiled, but the smile did not reach her eyes.
"Hermione, you know that you will always have a bed waiting for you here at the castle, but even though it has been your home for over ten years now, you need to see something else. Vector is not even close to retiring and I don´t have a position to offer you. The war ended six years ago, and I know you very quickly got tired of everyone gawking the golden trio where ever you went, but you can not let that stop you from living your life."
Hermione looked up at McGonagall and hesitated shortly.
"I...I know that you are right, but I am not ready to throw myself into the middle of the wizarding world yet. I could probably get a job at the ministry with my Aritmancy skills, but I would prefer to sit in a cabin by myself doing research and continuing my studies so that I can get my mastery. But that does not pay any bills."
McGonagall hesitated a bit and took a deep breath.
"I have an old friend that needs help. He has recently become the guardian over a young girl, and I have a feeling he is rather overwhelmed. The girl should have a governess and I don´t think it would be too time consuming. There should be plenty time left over for you to do your research as well. And as an added selling point they live out in the Welsh countryside, you would get all the peace and quiet you would want there."
Hermione took a moment and then nodded.
"It will buy me some time to figure out what I want to do I suppose".
McGonagall smiled and gave Hermione a hug.
"I will set it all up, we can go tomorrow morning at first light."
