AN: Dawn's nick-name from Hooch is in honor of the one who started it all... the one & only Butterfly Rainbow. Thanks luv for everything. This chapter is leading up to some together time for our two witches. "M" rating begins in chapter three. You have been warned. Dedicated to my sweet Bunny Girl.

THE TIES THAT BIND

Chapter 2

THE PROPHECY

Hermione Granger opened her rich chocolate brown eyes. Taking a deep breath, she focused on centering herself as the slight dizziness she felt from apparating slowly wore off.

Gazing up at the beautiful castle that was Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry, she felt a keen sense of pride and joy. A happy warmth permeated her soul. She felt giddy, almost euphoric. It felt like coming home. In many ways, she was. For here, her fiance lived and worked for nine months out of the year.

Here, her love, her future awaited.

Taking a deep, cleansing breath, her sense of smell was assaulted with familiar scents... The earthy, musky odor drifting on the wind from the owlery, the briney fishy scent of the black lake. A delicate perfume wafting out of the forbidden forest. Spring buds open and greeting the world with a myriad of colors, textures and flavors along with the intoxicating allure of evergreen and pine. The most prevalent was the scent of ancient, polished wood.

The castle.

Majestic, haunting, romantic.

Hermione could think of dozens of descriptive words for the captivating structure that had seen it's share of good and evil thoughout it's long, long life. Perhaps the one word that best captured her feelings for the grand monolith was just simply... home.

She felt the familiar tingling along her spine as the wards recognized her magical signature and the large iron gates opened at her touch. Squeaking and squealing in an almost musical way. Smirking, the young witch realized that Minerva must've altered the wards to recognize her magical signature. With a determined expression, the young witch strode forward onto the grounds. She was startled out of her revelry by a whispered, "It's about bloody time!"

Glancing up, she grinned as she saw Rolanda Hooch leaning against the moss covered column that supported one of the gates. The spiky, silver haired witch nodded her head in the direction of the castle and said, "They're about to sit down to dinner." She reached for her broom where it was propped against the wall and said, "Hop on, we'll sneak up to my quarters so you can freshen up."

Hermione glanced apprehensively at the broom, then at Hooch, then back to the broom.

Hooch snorted, "Oh bloody hell woman! Minerva would have my hide if I dropped you! Come on!" She grinned as the younger woman nervously mounted the broom behind her. "Hang on." The flying instructor muttered as she kicked off. Her sharp, angular features softened into a grin as she felt Hermione's arms wrap around her tightly. "Honestly. And you call yourself a witch!" She let out a delighted cackle as she felt an annoyed poke in her ribs.

Hooch flew Hermione to her quarters which overlooked the quiddich pitch. A specially designed balcony offered easy access for the flying instructor. Gently touching down, both witches dismounted and hurried inside.

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The professors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry sat at the head table. They quietly whispered amongst themselves, occassionally glancing out at the sea of young faces piling into the great hall for the evening meal. It was a Hogsmeade weekend so there was an air of excited anticipation throughout the immense chamber.

The Headmistress entered from a side door and gracefully glided towards her place at the head on the long, English oak table. Each teacher turned and acknowledged the powerful, elegant witch as she swept by.

"Eve'n Pr'fessor." Hagrid rumbled, a great grin turning up his whiskered face quite brightly as she touched his shoulder in passing.

"Minerva." The soft, matronly tones of Poppy Pomfrey soothed the slight headache the Headmistress seemed to be graced with this day.

"Hello Minerva." Albus Dumbledore greeted from his place next to Pomona Sprout as the Herbology Professor nodded, her dark eyes twinkling. There was a smudge of dirt on the end of her nose. Noticing, McGonagall paused. Pulling out her wand, she gently tapped Pomona's nose and whispered, "Evanesco dirt." The smudge instantly disappeared. Professor Sprout blushed brightly as Dumbledore snickered.

Replacing her wand, Minerva nodded to her deputy, Filius Flitwick, "Good evening Filius. Everything is well?"

The diminutive Charms Professor and now Deputy of Hogwarts nodded and said with a smile, "Everything is well, aside from the mysterious place setting that appeared next to your's a moment ago." He nodded towards the spot on the other side of her's. Her gaze followed his and indeed there was an extra spot. "Hmmmm." She mused glancing up as Rolanda Hooch made a late appearance.

Raising a quizzical, dark eyebrow, the Headmistress stated, "Nice of you to join us."

Blushing, Rolanda sat on the other side of the empty place and replied, "I was seeing to your guest."

"My guest??" Minerva queried, completely mystified.

Rolanda grinned at her friend and winked at the other teachers who'd been listening avidly. Nodding towards the main entrance of the great hall, she said, "Yes. Your guest."

Everyone at the professor's table turned their heads as one.

Standing in the entranceway was the lovliest witch anyone had seen in a very long time. A beautiful young woman with thick, chestnut curls trailing over her shoulders and down the middle of her back. Curls that glinted gold in the torchlight. Her curvacous figure was accentuated by lovely midnight blue robes that shimmered and sparkled. Deep, inquistive, chocolate brown eyes framed by long dark lashes gazed up at the table. Eyes that softened as they beheld the Headmistress. The infamous "Cheshire Cat" grin abruptly made it's legendary appearance.

"Hermione." Minerva's voice whispered tremulously. So unlike her normal tones that the other teachers turned to look at her.

What they saw was emerald eyes that glimmered brightly with unshed tears. Hands that slightly trembled. And breathing that sharpened to nearly a gasp. They saw another side of their formidable Headmistress. They saw the woman...

A woman in love.

Flitwick raised an eyebrow and glanced at Dumbledore and Sprout, "Indeed?"

The former Headmaster, his sky blue eyes twinkling like stardust, grinned madly, "Quite."

The other teachers looked at Dumbledore, then to Hooch. The latter was also grinning like a madwoman. The flying instructor shot a fist in the air and called, "Score!"

"Granger?" Both Poppy and Pomona echoed curiously.

Dumbledore nodded as Hagrid rubbed his huge hands together and rumbled, "'Bout time. Don 'cha think?"

Completely oblivious to the whispered conversations going on around her, Headmistress McGonagall's piercing green eyes were fastened on the beautiful witch currently making her way up the center aisle, towards the head table. The young witch pausing now and then to greet a familiar face. Presently, she made her way to the head table and bowed to all present. "Good evening good witches and wizards." She made a point to acknowledge each person seated at the table. Standing straight once more, she pinned her gaze on Minerva.

Headmistress. Warrior and Strategist.

Brilliant Transfiguationist.

Love of her life.

Chocolate eyes sparkled with joy and delight as she asked, "May I join you?"

The Headmistress simply stood and stared. Long moments went by till Flitwick elbowed Minerva. Startled, the older witch's eyes widened in embarrassment as she blurted, "Please do. I..." She paused as Hermione started to come around the table. Deftly, Minerva pulled out the chair next to her own and waited as she watched her fiance smile and nod at the teachers as she passed by.

Presently, the young witch stepped up to her love. A small, hesitant smile appeared as she leaned close and whispered, "I hope you don't mind me dropping in like this?"

Minerva McGonagall had never smiled so brightly in her entire life as she replied, "You are welcome to drop by anytime you like." She nodded her head towards the table indicating that the younger woman take the proferred seat.

Hermione daintily seated herself, grinning as she felt the chair being pushed in a bit by her love.

"Hullo 'Mione. Good ta see ya!" Hagrid boomed from the end of the table as the professors on that end all smiled and waved.

The young witch grinned cheekily, catching Dumbledore's twinkly wink.

Madame Pomfrey leaned forward and said, "I understand you'll be graduating this year?" She was astounded that anyone could complete four years of healer training in two. If anyone was going to accomplish that feat, it would most definately be Hermione Granger!

In the meantime, Minerva was getting a wee bit out of sorts at having to share her fiance. She sat in her chair, at the center of the great table and muttered primly, "Let the woman enjoy her meal."

Dumbledore raised a bushy eyebrow at the remark and whined, "Come on Minerva you can share her."

The fierce expression shot in the direction of Flitwick, Sprout, Dumbledore, Pomfrey and Hagrid told them that, "NO" Minerva was most definately NOT going to share. Even the formidable former Headmaster threw his hands in the air and mumbled, "Never mind."

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After dinner, the professors gathered in the staff room for some after dinner conversation along with a nip of brandy. Hagrid settled in an oversized, stuffed chair and slowly sipped his drink. He fastened his dark eyes on Dumbledore and said, "I always figgered 'Mione and the Pr'fessor had lots in common, I jus' never thought they'd figger it out."

Dumbledore chuckled as he held his empty snifter out to Hooch to be refilled. His sky blue eyes twinkled as he replied, "I had to do a little pushing on our dear compatriot's part, but Ms. Granger was dead set on winning Minerva's heart."

Rolanda Hooch handed the refilled brandy snifter back to Albus and said, "I used to tease the mickey out of Hermione." She took a sip of her own drink, then added, "Not anymore."

Dumbledore smiled knowingly and contemplated the lovely amber colored liquor swirling in his glass. The swirling brandy reminded him of the swirling magic that surrounded the soon to be married couple. He focused his eyes on Poppy and asked, "Have you ever noticed the magic around Minerva and Miss Granger?"

The mediwitch glanced down at her tea. Poppy Pomfrey never took spirits. Her sense of duty wouldn't allow it. Sighing, she wondered if she should admit to Albus that yes, she had indeed noticed the swirling effect around the two witches. She just felt like it really wasn't her place to say anything. With a small smile, the witch nodded her head. That was all she was going to acknowledge.

The conversation was interupted by the arrival of the two subjects of the avid conversation. Minerva appeared in the doorway, gesturing Hermione in first. The two witches were glowing in their joy at being together. Everyone in the room felt the power of their love sweep over them like a gentle wave. Smiles broke out on the various faces watching.

Minerva stood in the center of the room and spoke softly, "Good evening."

Hermione echoed her fiance's words and added a cheeky grin. She was enjoying watching the usually self-contained Minerva bubble over with surpressed emotion. She noticed Dumbledore grinning her way. Raising an eyebrow, she queried, "What are you smiling about?"

All eyes landed on the elderly wizard as he stroked his long, white beard and replied, "It pleases me to see the two of you together."

McGonagall blushed fiercely, took a deep breath and said, "I suppose I should simply tell all of you."

"Tell us what?" Pomona questioned, her own dark eyes twinkled merrily. She had a feeling she knew what the Headmistress was going to say.

Minerva took a deep breath and took Hermione's hand in her's.

The young witch felt the larger hand of her fiance grasp her smaller one in a firm, yet trembling grip.

Trembling?

Hermione realized that her love was nervous. She smiled warmly up at Minerva, then faced everyone present and stated, "Last summer Minerva asked me to marry her." She paused, seeing the delighted expressions on those present, then added, "And I said yes." She muttered a spell under her breath and the ring Minerva had gently slid onto her ring finger appeared. She held her hand up for all to see the McGonagall family ring gleaming on her finger. Hermione noticed the gleaming of the ring was nearly the same as the proud gleaming she could see in her fiance's stunning emerald eyes.

A chorus of delighted chatter ensued...

"Aw 'Mione that's jus wunnerful!" Hagrid boomed, grinning from ear to ear.

"Simply wonderful if I do say so myself." Flitwick squeaked taking a long puff on his cigar.

"Tabby, you look a little befuddled." Albus tittered, his clear blue eyes twinkling madly.

That last comment was immediately followed by another huge blush on Minerva's part and a mirthful snicker from Hermione.

The Headmistress gathered what little dignity she had remaining and said to her fiance, "Come, let's go to my quarters."

Naturally that comment went in another direction...

"WoooHoooo! You go girls!" Hooch cat-called raucously.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do." Again, Albus teased.

"Pish-Posh! Albus.. and you too Rolanda! Behave!" Poppy scolded primly as she cuffed Rolanda on the back of her head.

Minerva said a silent "thank you" to Poppy for berating the others. She was happy that the other professors seemed to approve of her union with Hermione, she just didn't like being teased about it. Backbone ram-rod straight, she marched out of the door of the staff room nearly running over Sybil Trelawney, who was just entering. Hermione trotted happily after her love.

The Divination Professor stared after the two witches, her body suddenly stiffening. Whirling around, the wild haired witch began speaking in a voice that only Dumbledore had ever heard...

"The magical world will perpetuate through the union of two of the line of Merlin...

The powerful and deadly Animagus will join with the brilliance of the Witch of the Light...

The heirs of this union shall lead, teach, challenge and heal the world as we know it...

There is dark danger lurking in the shadows...

The golden heir of the house that darkness led shall seek to destroy this destiny...

Be warned, this danger seeks to bring the downfall of the House of Merlin..."

As Trelawney trailed off, she shook herself out of her trance. Coughing to clear her throat, she obliviously made her way to the cabinet that stored her precious bottle of sherry.

Dumbledore frowned, stroking his beard thoughtfully. He looked up to see Hooch and Poppy staring at him with expressions like surprised goldfish. "What?" He mumbled.

Hooch ran her hands through her spikes, "What do you mean "What?" You heard her... what do we do?"

The elderly wizard shot each professor sitting there a "look" and said, "We watch and we wait."

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-to be continued