AN: Thank you for all the kind words. Y'all are amazin'! ;D... Uhhh we're gonna be gettin' a wee bit steamy here. Special thanks to Spiderweed and Silverdew for her translations. Mo ghoal ort m'luv.

THE TIES THAT BIND

Chapter Three

Tabby Loves Kitten

Minerva McGonagall led Hermione Granger through the grand halls of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry. To all appearances the elegant, older witch was calm, cool and collected. Nothing could be farther from the truth however. For pacing gracefully beside her was the most amazing woman Minerva had ever met. A young witch of staggering intelligence, compassion and skill. A beautiful woman who had captured the heart of the powerful Headmistress. The very heart that now pounded with joy and more than a wee bit of arousal. Minerva felt the blood thrumming through her veins, heat settling in her cheeks and nether regions. It made walking an interesting sensation to be sure. Her palms were sweating. She smiled ruefully as she rubbed her hands against her robes in a vain attempt to dry them.

Hermione's chocolate eyes were sparkling with mischief. She knew what was going to happen in the next little while. Minerva would be courteous and polite. The young witch didn't want courtesy or politeness. She wanted randiness from the stunning witch beside her. She wanted her woman and, by golly dammit, she was going to have her! The "cheshire cat" grin once again made it's infamous appearance. She was going to shag Minerva McGonagall senseless. It had been way too long since they'd last been together.

Reaching the entrance to the Headmistress's office, McGonagall whispered, "Tabby loves Kitten". The Gargoyle jumped aside, grinning a stoney, toothy grin.

Hermione stared at Minerva, a questioning expression brewing in her deep chocolate eyes. The older witch shrugged as she stepped through the opened door. Hermione followed stepping up onto the spiraling staircase as it made it's assent. The young witch wrapped her arms around the waist of her love, pulling the older witch against her body. She could feel the restrained excitment vibrating through Minerva's slim, athletic form.

"I do... you know." Minerva whispered; trembling as she felt Hermione place a soft, sweet kiss just below her ear. As the staircase continued to rise, she turned in her fiance's arms and pulled the young witch into a gentle embrace. It had been so long since she'd last held this lovely young woman. It felt good to have her, at long last, right where she belonged.

All too soon, they arrived at their destination and the older witch opened the door to her office. Gesturing politely for Hermione to enter first. The young witch shot a wicked grin at her love and sauntered inside. Minerva felt a hot blush flame her cheeks. "Oh Merlin, what am I in for?" She muttered raising her intense emerald eyes heavenward.

She didn't have long to wait for the answer.

As she closed the door, Minerva felt herself suddenly pinned, face first, against the door. The younger witch pressed up against her. Strong, eager young hands at her hips. A thrusting pelvis against her backside. Generous breasts pressed wantonly against her back. Hot breath against her neck and a sexy, sultry voice whispering such sweet naughtiness in her ear. "I want you now. Right here against this door!"

Minerva closed her eyes as she felt a rush of heat and wetness down below. "Oh..." She groaned as Hermione continued to grind into her.

Of course the Headmistress's office is generally NOT the place for such activity. There were other things to consider. Portraits for example...

"Oh my goodness!"

"MeeYowZa.. you go Tabby Cat!"

"That's the most action this office has seen in a century!"

"Albus never did that."

"Wait till I tell Keegan what his granddaughter is doing!"

That one brought Minerva to her senses. She spun around and gazed into chocolate eyes full of burning desire. Her deep voice hoarse with arousal, the older witch said, "My quarters.." She pointed to a door just to the left of her immense desk.

Nodding her understanding, Hermione followed her fiance. She would follow Minerva McGonagall to the ends of the earth if asked.

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Albus Dumbledore sat in the staff room enjoying his brandy. Poppy Pomfrey and Rolanda Hooch relaxed nearby. Everyone else had retired for the evening or to do rounds. As he sipped his drink, a sudden movement out of the corner of his eye caught his attention. Apparently it had captured the two witches as well, because they too turned to see what the commotion was all about.

Above the fireplace was the portrait Keegan McGonagall shared with Armando Dippet. As a gesture of thanks to her grandfather for his support in her choice of Hermione as her bride-to-be, Minerva had asked the elves to move the portrait to a more suitable location. Keegan enjoyed the company of the professors much more than the chatter of students in the library. No matter how many times Irma Pince shushed them.

He normally shared this portrait with his longtime friend, Armando Dippit. The latter was absent yet again. Off to gossip not doubt. Now, he was back and tugging urgently on Keegan's sleeve. Annoyed, the white haired painting turned to his companion and growled, "What??" Dippet began gesturing wildly while practically yelling, "Your granddaughter and her... her lover are... are.." He looked around and noticed Dumbledore and the two witches. Seeing them, he came to the edge of the frame and screamed, "They're doing it!!"

Keegan's bushy white eyebrows rose as he asked, "Doing what?"

Dippit blushed and answered, "You know... it!"

Mystified, Keegan looked at Dumbledore and shrugged.

Rolanda Hooch rose from her position next to Poppy and approached the painting. Frowning, she asked, "What are they doing?"

Dippit's face was deep mauve at this point as he sputtered, "She and Miss Granger are... are against the door. Doing.. female sex... and... and things like that!" His eyes were as wide as saucers.

An amused snicker could be heard coming from Dumbledore's direction.

Hooch whirled around to see Poppy covering her face with her hands, a loud undignified snort making it's way through her fingers. Looking at Dumbledore, she saw that he wasn't attempting to hide his mirth at all. She grinned and mouthed, "Things like that?"

Dumbledore couldn't stand it any longer. He howled his laughter.

Loudly.

Dippit glared accusingly at the former Headmaster and scolded, "Surely protocol dictates that some decorum.." He stopped as Keegan interupted, "Protocol my arse! Leave them be. School is not in session, it's the weekend. I for one am bloody proud of my granddaughter for snagging a witch as wonderful as Hermione."

Dippit began to huff pompously.

Keegan simply glared at the other man who shared this potrait, "You are just jealous because that never happened to you!"

With that, Dippit stormed off to find more sympathic ears.

Keegan grinned and yelled at the retreating figure of his friend, "If they want to shag, I say let 'em!" The elder McGonagall looked at Dumbledore and added with a cheeky, uncharacteristic grin, "Great-grandchildren would be nice too."

Hooch looked at Dumbledore, then over at the portrait. The latter winked at the flying instructor causing Rolanda to giggle raucously, "That Hermione is certainly going to keep Minerva busy!"

Dumbledore raised his snifter and toasted, "Here's to Tabby and her Kitten!"

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Minerva's quarters were set up pretty much the same way they were when she was Deputy. There were a few more perks though with being Headmistress. These quarters were larger. Much larger.

Hermione gazed around in awe. Before, Minerva's old quarters were modest. Cozy even. A sitting room with a small kitchenette off to one side. Bedroom with a full bath. That was pretty much it.

These quarters were different. The door opened into a large sitting room with a huge fireplace in the center of the far wall. On either side of the fireplace were floor to ceiling windows. In front of the fireplace was Minerva's comfy old sofa. Some things just couldn't be sacrificed. Hermione grinned at the thought. In front of the sofa was a low coffee table. As she moved in further, Hermione noticed a short hallway to her left. Peeking inside, she saw that this led to Minerva's private study and also housed the small collection of books Minerva kept here at the school. To the right of the main door was a full kitchen, complete with all modern appliances.

Minerva smiled as she watched Hermione investigate the kitchen. There was a small breakfast bar that separated the kitchen from the sitting room. Leaning on it, she said, "I had Izer put this in just for you."

Hermione looked up at her fiance, "Just for me?" There was a sparkle of joy in her dark eyes.

Minerva nodded, "You are going to be living here with me. Are you not?" The twinkle quite prevalent in her stunning emerald eyes. She watched as Hermione opened the refrigerator and peered inside. All of her favorites were already stocked.

Quickly closing the cooler, Hermione turned to her soon-to-be wife and answered, "I am." There was a staunch finality in the tone of her voice.

Minerva nodded with a smile and said, "Then you will like the rest. Come." She gestured for Hermione to follow. The young witch eagerly hurried after her love. Minerva strode towards another short hall located on the far side of the sitting room. Stepping into it, she moved to the first door on her left. Opening it, she said, "This shall be your office." They entered and the older witch watched as Hermione mentally memorized the space. The room was empty of furnishings. Minerva would never presume to decorate a room that was going to strictly be her wife's. That was Hermione's joyous chore.

"This is amazing." The young witch whispered as she walked to the single large octagon shaped window. The view she enjoyed was of the black lake.

Minerva nodded at her fiance's obvious satisfaction of the room. She beckoned her love to follow once more. Passing two doors on the right and another on the left, Minerva led Hermione to the large door at the end of the hall. She allowed Hermione to open this door, saying, "This is our bedroom."

The young witch gazed back down the hall at the doors they'd just passed by. "What are those rooms?" She fastened her curious eyes onto the lovely features of the woman she planned to spend the rest of her life with.

The expression that shown on Minerva's beautiful face was joyous, hopeful and perhaps guarded a bit. As if she wasn't sure about something. She pointed towards the first door they passed as they left the sitting room and said, "That's the loo." Smiling cautiously she added, "The other two are bedrooms."

Hermione raised an eyebrow. Then as Minerva's unspoken meaning entered her mind, she brightened to the point where she almost glowed.

Bedrooms.

For the children.

Tears welled up in her deep, dark eyes. She whirled around and jumped into Minerva's open arms. "Oh Tabby. I love you."

Minerva wrapped her arms around the woman who would be her wife and pulled her close. Kissing the top of Hermione's head, she replied, "And I love you my Kitten. With all that I am."

Hermione had never felt such joy. Being in Minerva's arms. Here in the place that would be their home for nine months out of the year. She looked up into impossibly green eyes. Eyes that glimmered brightly with unshed tears. Oh how she loved her Tabby! Reaching up, she cupped the older witch's high boned cheeks and gently pulled Minerva down to her. She pressed her plump lips against the thinner one's of her fiance and placed soft, sweet kisses along every inch of those delicious lips. Kisses that grew in intensity.

Minerva closed her eyes. Hermione's kisses were like a blessing from the gods. Delightful, exciting sensations rushed through her body. Tingles and goosebumps made themselves apparent. The younger witch nibbled at her lower lip. Sucking and pulling as the passion between them grew. Shudders wracked her body and her nipples tightened. The older witch's hands began to wander over Hermione's curvacous form. Over her back, soft and supple. Feeling the play of muscles as the young witch also began to trace her hands over Minerva's well-toned, athletic body.

Hermione gasped as she felt the larger, yet divinely elegant hands of her lover move down her lower back and over the rounded globes of her backside. Powerful hands, capable of such amazing magic now glided sensuously over her shapely rear. Hermione's kisses grew even more urgent as she felt Minerva's eager tongue demanding entrance into her mouth. The young witch obliged with great enthusiasm. Tongues reintroduced themselves in the most ancient waltz of all.

Somehow they managed to enter the beautifully appointed bedroom.

Minerva felt the pull of instinct within her. The instinct to join with her love. The instinct to mate. She struggled to keep her baser self in check but Hermione was making this increasingly difficult. The young witch was placing wet, loving kisses against her neck as she unfastened the buttons on Minerva's forest green robes. The younger woman was also maneuvering them towards the king sized mahogany four post bed.

The older witch felt the mattress against the back of her knees. Breathlessly she pulled away from Hermione and sat quickly on the edge of the bed. She drew deep gasping breaths into her lungs. "Merlin! You take my breath away!" She mumbled as she watched the young witch drop to her knees and bring herself between Minerva's legs.

More buttons were unfastened, revealing the white undershift the traditional witch always wore beneath her robes. Hermione fastened her questing lips against Minerva's in a scorching, passionate kiss that caused the blood to burn in their veins.

Minerva had never been as aroused as she was at this moment. Not even during their first time at Grimmauld Place, not during last summer. No, this was different. This was a claiming. Hermione was claiming HER.

AND she was, once again, claiming Hermione.

The heavy, forest green robe was pushed from her shoulders and the buttons to the undershift were slowly unfastened. As each bit of creamy flesh was revealed, Hermione took the opportunity to bless her lover's downy soft skin with hot, hungry kisses. A deep growl escaped the older witch's mouth; further inflaming the young witch. Small hands finished unfastening the undershift and swiftly drew it away from Minerva's shoulders. Hermione leaned up and placed urgent, open mouthed kisses against Minerva's neck. The older witch threw her head back, gasping as she felt smaller, yet skillful hands cupping her full breasts. Soft, deliberate circles were traced through the lacy material of her bra. Circles that caused her already straining nipples to harden painfully. Moaning, Minerva whispered, "Oh my Kitten... Oh, na rudan a bhiodhas tu a deanamh ruim!"**

Minerva's utterances were like music to Hermione's touch starved soul. As a surprise, she had taken several Scottish Gaelic language courses at college. Just so she could speak to and understand her wife to be in times like this. In fits of uncontrolled passion, Minerva tended to spout her native tongue. Knowing what her love had just said brought undescribed joy to Hermione. She so wanted to give her love such a gift. After so long a time, they needed this.

She traced her lips down Minerva's strong jaw to her chin delighting when Minerva lowered her head and captured Hermione's lips with her own. Thinner lips worked their magic against the younger witch's plumper ones. Again, tongues danced a tantalizing tango with each other.

Gently, Hermione lowered Minerva to the bed. Soft chocolate eyes gazed with such devotion into darkened emerald. A trembling hand touched her cheek, then moved to tangle in the unruly chestnut mane that spilled gloriously over the young witch's shoulders and down to flow around the witches like a veil. Leaning down, Hermione brought her mouth to Minerva's once again.

"I love you." Was said in unison, causing both women to smile warmly.

Hermione urged her lover to arch her back just enough to unfasten her bra. Once freed of their lacy prison, Minerva's beautiful full breasts capped by stiffened rose colored peaks caused Hermione's head to spin. Hungrily, she placed wet, needy kisses around their softness coming closer and closer to where Minerva most wanted Hermione's mouth to be.

Arching, she thrust her breasts closer to her lover's willing mouth, "Oh Hermione... please..." Her voice had deepened with her arousal. Nothing mattered at this moment except Hermione. Not the school, not her duty. Nothing...

Just her mate.

Hermione greedily pulled a hardened nipple into her mouth, lathing her tongue over the bud in a maddening tempo. She released the pebbled peak and sought out it's twin. Once again driving her lover wild with need.

Minerva writhed against her lover. Aching, needing. "Oh... oh please.." The older witch whimpered in ectasy.

Back and forth Hermione went, driving her lover higher and higher. She could feel Minerva's body coiling in upon itself. Readying for the imminent explosion. Muscle tensing. Lungs gasping.

Minerva threw her head back and wailed, "Bith gaol agam ort gu brath!"*** as she orgasmed in an explosion that sent spots in front of her eyes in a dizzying wave of pleasure. Never had she climaxed just by having her breasts tended to! She lay on the bed, arms outstretched in supplication. Panting.

Hermione smiled wickedly. She was only just beginning.

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-to be continued

AN: (** "Oh, the things you do to me) (*** I'll love you forever!)

Again, a big "Thank You" to Spiderweed and Silverdew. ;D