AN: Thanks for sticking with me y'all. It's much appreciated. Sorry for the delay, life has been a wee bit more of a pisser than usual.

THE TIES THAT BIND

Chapter 7

GRADUATION

Molly Weasley placed her napkin on her plate and glanced up at her gathered "family". Dinner had been a smashing success and judging from the empty dessert plates, the strawberry cheesecake was also eagerly and happily consumed. Her clear blues eyes gazed at the people gathered around her garden table with deep love. She watched as Minerva McGonagall, stately and elegant rose from her chair and turned to help her fiance, Hermione Granger, out of her's.

Emerald green eyes fastened on Molly's clear blue ones, "If you would please excuse us, Hermione and I would like to take a walk."

The Weasley matriarch nodded and watched the two witches head off towards the cornfield. She smiled gently as she watched Hermione throw a sweet smile up at Minerva and take the older witch's hand in her's.

"They are so gorgeous together."

She looked over to see Jean Granger watching her daughter walk off with the older witch. There was a look of wonder shining brightly in the elder Granger's chocolate eyes. Almost as if she was seeing "love" for the first time. Molly reached over and patted Jean's hand, "Not to worry. Minerva will love her... always."

Jean smiled an acknowledgment at her new friend. She'd recently learned the true meaning of friendship in the way the Weasleys had accepted her unconditionally. Despite the fact that she had no magic. Never in her life had she ever felt the kind of love and acceptance as she had come to feel from the people sitting at Molly Weasley's table.

She felt a gentle squeeze on her knee. Looking to her side, she fell into the piercing yellow gaze of Rolanda Hooch. The smile on the spikey haired witch's face was infectious and Jean couldn't help but beam back at her... girlfriend?

Nodding her head in the direction of Minerva and Hermione, Hooch asked, "Do you see the attraction now?"

Jean nodded saying, "At first, I was thrown off a bit by Minerva's age." She frowned as she shot a glance towards the rapidly dwindling figures of her eldest daughter and the Headmistress. Sighing, she continued, "Then Dumbledore explained that there's about a thirty to sixty year age difference between magic and non-magic people." She looked up to see Arthur, Molly and Rolanda nodding. Jean quickly did some calculating in her head, then said, "That would put Minerva somewhere in her early forties right?"

Molly grinned, "Something like that, at least in muggle years... it varies between people. A lot depends on the strength of their magic."

Jean nodded thoughtfully, "And Minerva is very powerful."

Harry snorted into his firewhiskey, "That's an understatement for sure." He grinned at Jean as Ron, Ginny and George chuckled.

Molly laughed softly at the slightly bewildered expression on Jean's face, "The McGonagall's are one of the oldest and most powerful magical families in Europe, probably the world."

Nodding, Jean said, "I figured she was strong..." She smiled as a memory surfaced. "I remember seeing Minerva pick Hermione up like she was a feather and carry her up the stairs at the Manor." She smirked at the startled expressions on the faces of the younger people at the table.

Hooch patted her paramour's thigh saying, "It's not just physical strength, it's magical strength as well." Sybil Trelawney's prophecy suddenly popped into her head and Rolanda realized that the one person who really needed to know about this was sitting right beside her. This was, however, something that needed to be discussed in private.

Jean nodded absently saying, "The more I get to know Minerva, the more I realize just how alike she and Hermione really are."

There was a "knowing" grin on Arthur's face as he stated, "Two peas in a pod." Good natured chuckles wound around the table as he rose adding, "Best get these dishes done." He crooked a finger at Ron and George, beckoning them to follow.

Dawn Granger watched as her boyfriend trailed after his older brother and his father. Turning back to Molly, she asked, "Is that why Minerva and Hermione glow when they are together?"

Molly raised and eyebrow and locked eyes with Hooch. A moment passed, then she looked at the youngest Granger. "What do you see when you look at them?" The older woman noticed Ginny sitting up straight in her chair. She knew her daughter could see the swirling magic around Minerva and Hermione as well. It was the "Prewitt" in her. She was curious though at what Dawn, a seemingly non-magical muggle, could see.

Dawn scratched her nose, a little embarrassed at the attention. She looked off in the direction her sister and her fiance had headed. "There is a feeling of quiet joy and peace around them." She frowned as she concentrated on focusing her intuition. "There's like an aura around them. I can see it and I can feel it."

Hooch grinned, reaching over to clasp the young woman's hand, "Don't ever let anyone say that you have no magic sweet Butterfly."

Dawn grinned at Rolanda, she really liked the Flying Instructor. She thought she was just what her mum needed to be happy. She glanced at her mum to see the sappiest expression she had ever seen on her mother's face. With a silly grin on her pretty face, she stood and looked at Harry and Ginny, "Let's go help with the dishes."

Ginny and Harry, eager for an excuse to escape, readily agreed.

Molly watched the trio head to the house. With a wise smile she stated, "There's a lot more of Sarah Griffin in that one. That's for sure." She smiled at the astounded expression on Jean's face.

Rolanda realizing that it was just Jean, Molly and herself at the table, decided that this would be a good time to bring these two women into Dumbledore's plan. Leaning forward she whispered, "There's something else you need to know about..."

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Minerva and Hermione walked in silence toward the distant cornfield. It was still fairly early in the season and the leafy, deep green stalks were barely knee high. The young witch breathed in the rich earthy summer scents, feeling contentment with Minerva here at her side.

The older witch smiled down at her love. She could feel Hermione's peacefulness radiating outward. It filled her heart with a deep sense of completeness. A deepening of her connection with the young woman. A young witch who had become her mate. A sweet, lovely woman who had saved her soul from the deep loneliness of the past. She raised an elegant eyebrow and commented softly, "You are quiet tonight."

Hermione looked up at her love. A woman who filled her dreams, her fantasies... her heart with such joy. With a cheeky smile, she replied, "Just thinking."

A dark eyebrow quirked, "Good thoughts I hope?"

The cheeky grin deepened in response. Waving a small hand before them, Hermione asked, "Do you know where we are?"

Minerva cast thoughtful emerald eyes about... searching... remembering.

A summer night. Four years ago. A deep blush made it's way over the older witch's stunning features. A cheeky grin of her own appeared. "This is where we shared our first kiss."*

The memory of that summer night entered their minds. Each remembering the birth of their passion. That first amazing kiss.

Minerva pulled her fiance into her arms, "I will love you forever." She whispered as their lips met in a passionate touch that brought them full circle.

As Hermione pulled away, Minerva felt the young woman's distraction. Reaching out, she cupped her fiance's chin, "What bothers you so?"

There was a momentary look of deep sadness on the young witch's beautiful face as she gazed out at the setting sun. The compelling shades of pinkish purple of the fast arriving twilight cast the young woman's thoughts to a place she'd thought she'd left behind. She smiled softly as she felt a gentle hand caressing her unruly chestnut curls. Sighing deeply, she turned to Minerva. "There is one thing that I wish with all my heart."

The gentle caress moved to the soft skin of her neck, down to her shoulder. Curious emerald orbs fastened themselves onto saddened mocha. "What is your wish my love?"

"That my father could see me graduate and actually be proud." Hermione's soft voice cracked as she turned back to watch the mesmerizing colors that only a higher power could create, paint themselves across the vast canvas that was the evening sky. She didn't see the emerald eyes behind her cloud with the painful memory of their last encounter with John Granger**.

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"This can't be happening!" Jean Granger exclaimed, large crystal tears streaking down her soft cheeks. Great heaving gasps tightened her chest painfully as she reeled from what Rolanda had just explained to her and to Molly about Sybil Trelawney's prediction. "They deserve so much more!" The elder Granger whispered clutching Rolanda's hand to her chest.

The older witch's yellow eyes glistened with unshed tears as she listened to the agony in the voice of the woman she loved. A woman who's daughter was once again in danger from the darkness they had sought to defeat just a few short years ago. She frowned remembering what Dumbledore had said to her.

Reaching out, she ran the back of her fingers down the cheek of the woman who had come to mean so much to her. "Dumbledore doesn't want a lot of people to know this and I wasn't sure whether to say anything or not." She saw the deep brown eyes gaze into her own. Clearing her throat, she continued, "You've come to mean a great deal to me and I don't want any secrets. You deserve to know this." The flying instructor looked up at Molly Weasley and added, "So do you." Squeezing Jean's trembling hand, she added, "I will do my very best to watch over her. Not only Hermione, but Minerva too."

Molly gazed at the two women. There was great emotion present between them. A fire that was smouldering. It wouldn't take much for that blaze to ignite. That much was certain. She shot a small smile in their direction as a sudden thought crossed her matchmaking mind. "One thing is certain."

Both women turned to look at her.

Molly grinned and took a sip of her tea. After a pregnant pause, she said, "At least you know that you're going to have four grandchildren."

The sorrowful expression on Jean Granger's face went from agonized to joyous in less than a minute. As was Molly's plan. She smiled saying, "The prophecy said the children of the union of the animagus and the witch of the light shall lead, teach, challenge and heal the world..."

Rolanda picked up the thread of logic Molly was unraveling, "Lead would mean someone in politics maybe?"

Molly nodded and added, "Teach? Well considering Minerva's profession, that one is not surprising." She smiled as Jean perked up even more as she listened to the banter between the two witches.

Rolanda noticed as well. Shooting Molly a grateful smile, she said, "Challenge? That one is a wee bit confusing..." She trailed off for a moment thinking, "Unless it refers to a sporting ability. If that's so, then I think that might refer again to Minerva."

Jean frowned her confusion, "How so?"

Molly grinned as Hooch replied, "Angus and Minerva were two of the best beaters that Scotland ever produced!" She chuckled remembering days gone by.

Smiling, Jean spoke of the last child, "Healing would refer to Hermione then? Perhaps one of the children will follow in her footsteps. Maybe even join in Hermione's medical practice?"

Both witches nodded at Jean's statement. It would make sense. Molly snickered, saying, "Of course this is all guessing on our part." She smiled wisely and added, "One never really knows."

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Later that evening, after everyone had gone home, Molly found herself wrapped in her husband's arms. She'd told him what Hooch had said.

Arthur and Molly had enjoyed a long and loving marriage. Mostly because they had always kept the lines of communication open. They didn't keep secrets from one another.

"What do you think we should do?" She whispered, feeling his arms tighten around her.

There was a moment of silence, then Arthur replied softly, "Just what Dumbledore said to do... We watch and we wait."

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Minerva watched her wife-to-be as she sat at the mahogany vanity and brushed out her curling chestnut hair. It gleamed with hints of gold in the soft firelight. The young witch wore a sleeveless nightgown of lacy powder blue. So very lovely. She, herself was clad in white satin. Sleeveless with lace interwoven down the front. She wasn't sure just how long they would remain dressed though. She and Hermione generally managed to undress each other at some point.

She grinned at the thought.

Hermione gently brushed her hair. She knew Minerva was watching her. She liked that her partner was so attentive. Minerva had never taken her for granted. Every moment that they got to spend together was treasured like the precious gift it really was. Finishing with her hair, she placed her brush on the vanity. Next she reached for the lilac scented body lotion her mother had given her before she and Minerva apparated back to Hogwarts.

For some reason Jean seemed a bit off. Like she was happy and sad at the same time. She wondered if Hooch was behind her mother's odd mood. Shrugging her shoulder's slightly, she made a mental note to ask the soon-to-be-lovers. Smirking she thought that perhaps her mother just needed to get laid.

Thinking about her mother getting horizontal with Rolanda Hooch put a grin on Hermione's beautiful face. Several rather interesting ideas popped into her head. Ideas that revolved around the stunning beauty lying on the bed patiently waiting for her. With a soft snicker, she finished with the lotion and blew out the candle that had been burning beside her.

Standing, she turned to face the bed and stretched luxiourously. Her short nightgown riding up her creamy thighs as she raised her arms above her head. Her nipples tightened as she heard a small groan coming from the direction of the bed.

Minerva's emerald eyes darkened with pure lust as she watched Hermione's nightgown ride up her supple thighs and over her neatly trimmed mound. The older witch's mouth watered at the thought of her young love's sweet taste. She allowed her eyes to travel up the lucious body that was so decadently revealing itself under the guise of a simple stretch. The older witch's gaze took in the lovely rounded hips, flat stomach and the breasts. Soft, generous globes of delight! Not realizing it, Minerva's face took on a rather lascivious expression.

"You could be arrested for what you're thinking."

The older witch was startled out of her revelry by her young love's statement. Blushing at being caught thinking such blatently ornery thoughts, the green eyed witch smiled sheepishly.

Hermione giggled at how cute Minerva looked blushing and such. She decided to make this easy. Moving towards Minerva's side of the bed, she pulled her nightgown over her head and carelessly dropped it to the floor, "I thought I'd make this easy."

Pulling her own nightdress over her head, the older witch tossed it next to Hermione's on the floor, "I knew you were the brightest witch of the age for a reason... come here to me."

Any house elves who may or may not have been checking up on the Mistress and the Lady would've been greeted with a closed bedroom door, high pitched delighted giggles and deeper sounding sniggers coming from within....

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The middle aged man stepped into the impeccably clean study. The new housekeeper, Mrs. Schmitt, was certainly efficient. His tired blue eyes rested on the photo sitting on the desktop. Moving towards the desk, he ran a hand through his thinning chestnut hair. Once upon a time this had been a happy home. Not the empty, cheerless shell it had become. Yes it was clean and in order, but... Nothing can compare to the glorious clutter of a lived-in, happy home.

Picking up the gold framed photo, he remembered better days. The three women in the picture beamed joyously at the photographer. The eldest, was tall with sandy brown, shoulder length hair. Next to her was a young woman with short, waifish cropped hair. It was the same color as his own. The last woman was the shortest but by far the most compelling. Unruly long, chestnut waves touched with a hint of gold cascading over her small shoulders and down her back. All three women shared one thing in common... Deep, loving chocolate eyes.

"Quite lovely aren't they."

John Granger whirled around at the sound of a disturbingly familiar voice. Sitting in a corner chair was none other than the woman who'd soundly thrashed him last year.

Literally.

"What are you doing here?" He rumbled, blue eyes darkening with anger.

Minerva McGonagall rose from her seat and walked towards the small bar in the far corner of the office. She'd been eyeing a bottle of Jim Beam since she'd arrived about fifteen minutes earlier. Pouring two shots, she recapped the bottle and placed it back where she'd found it. Picking up both shots glasses, she handed one to the slightly shorter man in front of her. "Slainte!" She rumbled, tossing the liquor back. It burned as it made it's way to her belly.

John eyed McGonagall carefully and copied her action. Slamming the glass down on the desk, he asked again, "What do you want?"

The older witch gazed at Hermione's father intently, "I want Hermione to be happy."

This got his attention. Just like she figured it would.

Rubbing a hand through the close cropped beard he'd grown, his fingers bumped over a small scar on his chin. That was the reason he'd let his whiskers come in. A scar left by the formidable woman standing in front of him. He allowed his eyes to physically assess the witch...

Tall, way taller than he was. Thin, wiry frame that disguised immense physical strength. He'd been on the receiving end of one of her punches, so he KNEW how powerful this woman was. Piercing green eyes that inspected him as a scientist would inspect a laboratory subject. A dark eyebrow quirked quizzically. Thin lips poised in a grim, serious expression. Gleaming black, silky hair pulled back into a tight bun. Forest green and black robes. Robes! Another reminder of the magical world.

Clearing the cobwebs, he asked, "What is making her unhappy?" He was hoping that his daughter had finally come to her senses and was ready to join society and leave all that magical nonsense behind.

The elegant black eyebrows on the striking looking witch knitted together in a dark frown as she replied, "You are."

John Granger picked up the empty shot glass and walked back to the bar. Pouring himself a healthy measure, he placed the bottle back without offering anything to Minerva. Taking a sip, he muttered, "Oh?"

Minerva snorted at Granger's poor manners. Walking to the bar, she poured herself another measure.

"You are an arrogant bitch. You know that?" The muggle man grumbled as he sat himself behind the desk.

Minerva McGonagall grinned ferally and knocked back the shot. "That's the sweetest thing you've ever said to me." She commented reseating herself in the chair in the corner.

It was a chess game between them. That much was quite evident to John Granger. Deep down, he knew he would loose to this fierce witch. He just couldn't resist the game. Finally, he took a deep breath and asked, "Alright, I'll bite. Why am I making Hermione unhappy?"

Minerva's nostrils flared as she sensed victory. Leaning forward with her hands clasped together over her knees she said, "Your daughter is one of the brightest women of the age. Her power spans not only my world, but your's as well."

She paused waiting for him to let that sink in. When he nodded, she continued, "In four days, she is going to graduate with a degree in medicine. A healer in my world, a doctor in your's. She is also receiving a degree in potions as well. This sort of achievement is nearly unheard of... and yet Hermione has done it." She smiled at Hermione's accomplishment, pausing for just a moment.

John closed his eyes. Yes, his daughter was extraordinary. Brilliant even... but how was he making her unhappy? "According to you, the world should be her oyster. So how is it that I'm hurting her?"

McGonagall's eyes burned fiercely as she replied, "Because even the strongest woman sometimes needs her daddy." Her shoulders slumped a bit as she sat back. "All she ever wanted was for you to be proud of her."

John's tired blue eyes watered, but he refused to allow a single tear to fall. Not in front of this woman. It wasn't Minerva's words that moved him, it was her actions. The fact that she'd come here at all spoke volumes. She truly was devoted to his daughter. As odd as their relationship seemed to him, there was one undisputable fact. Minerva McGonagall loved Hermione Granger.

"Gonna marry her are you?" He questioned raising an eyebrow.

The older witch nodded warily, her deep green eyes intense and glaring. If looks could hurt, he's be a pile of goo right about now. He knew what the older witch wanted. "Where and when is her graduation?"

Surprise appeared on Minerva's lovely face, "Four days from today. I willl have to come and get you. You cannot get there without a bit of magic." There was a gleam in her eye as she said those last words.

Granger looked rather green. "Magic? Oy!" He watched as the older woman stood.

"I'll be off then." She fastened steely emerald on the muggle man, "I will be back for you in four days. This will mean the world to Hermione so you had better not forget." She approached him and planted a pointed finger in his chest saying, "I would be very upset if you do." With that she apparated away with a clap of ominous thunder.

John Granger absently rubbed the spot on his chest where she'd poked him. No, he wasn't going to anger that woman ever again.

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"Hermione Jean Granger!"

A loud roar of excited voices exploded from the large contingent sitting to one side in the audience. Any curious bystanders would've noticed that the majority of people in that group had bright red hair. There were, however a few exceptions...

Jean Granger looked to the main aisle proudly. Hope and joy radiating from her lovely face as she watched her eldest daughter rise from her seat and make her way to the stage. Beside her, her younger daughter Dawn let out a loud whistle and yelled, "Yeah!!! Big sister!!"

The general audience, hearing that, broke into amused chuckles and the young woman making her way up the aisle to the stage blushed and grinned happily.

Next to Jean, Rolanda Hooch dressed in her finest robes, clasped the hand of her love and yelled, "That's our girl!!"

Sitting amongst the Weasleys, Harry Potter stood and clapped louder than anyone else. This exceptional young woman was in so many ways just as responsible for the defeat of Voldemort as he was... Without her quick thinking, he would have been killed more times than he liked to think.

Beside him, Ginny Weasley yelled, "WooooHoooo! Yeah 'Mione!!"

Molly and Arthur hugged each other joyfully. It was like watching one of their own children graduating.

Ron wrapped his arm around Dawn's shoulders as he watched the young woman he'd once entertained thoughts of marrying. That had all changed when it was revealed just who Hermione really loved. As he felt Dawn lean into his body, he realized that he was with the one that was meant for him. Leaning down, he placed a kiss in the short cropped hair on top of the lovely young woman's head. She looked up at him and mouthed the words, "I love you too."

As Hermione reached the stage and mounted the steps, she heard the familiar voice of Albus Dumbledore...

"Well Tabby, she did it! She really did it! I can't remember anyone finishing a medical degree in just two years! What an extraordinary young woman..."

She didn't get a chance to hear any replies as she'd reached the podium where the Dean of Students, David Pennyworth, held a single piece of parchment. A piece of parchment that bore witness to the impact Hermione Jean Granger had and will have on the entire world. "Well done young lady." He boomed as he handed the young witch the document and stepped away to give the young woman the floor.

Hermione looked down at the parchment, reading the words that she had worked so hard to earn... "Healer Hermione Granger, Doctor of Medicine." She whispered feeling tears welling up. Willing them to stop, she took a moment to compose herself. Clearing her throat, she looked out at the audience and stopped as her deep chocolate eyes saw someone...

Tired blue eyes gazing up at her. An expression of pride, sadness and hope on the close cut bearded face.

Beside the man, a woman...

Tall, proud, stunningly beautiful.

Emerald eyes full of love...

For her.

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In years to come, when asked about the long pause she'd taken before making a speech that echoed throughout the magical world, Hermione Jean McGonagall would say, "I found myself lost in a sea of loving emerald so beautiful that I needed a moment to compose myself."

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-to be continued

*See Butterfly Rainbow's amazing Cat & Kitten stories from which this AU was created.

**Chapter 13 of my story "The Boat House".