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THE TIES THAT BIND

Chapter 22

A STEP TOWARDS THE FUTURE

Two weeks after returning from Matlock Island, Hermione sat bolt upright in bed. Deep chocolate eyes widening as her slumber was rudely chased away by a desperate need to vomit. Wildly, she threw back the tartan blankets and her pillow; the latter covering her soundly sleeping wife's face and thus awakening her with a startled grunt.

"Mmmph.. Wha???"

The young witch galloped to the loo. Hands covering her mouth as the heaving sensation raced up her throat. Hermione was never so grateful to see a toilet as she was at that moment.

Sleep hazed emerald eyes blinked owlishly as the sounds of retching came from the ensuite. Frowning and giving a great, cat-like yawn with a stretch thrown in for good measure, the Headmistress slowly sat up to the sounds of a toilet flushing.

Moments later she heard the sound of water running and some unintelligible muttering. This was followed by the distinct voice of Hermione Jean McGonagall saying, "Accio Wand!" Minerva strained to hear more low mumbling.

Then there was silence.

Dead silence.

Followed by...

"MINERVA!"

Startled, Minerva bolted up out of the bed, sliding off the mattress and landing on her compact, muscular rear end with an, "Ooof!" She then scrambled for footing slipping and sliding on her silk robe. A robe that had been carelessly dropped to the floor the previous evening in a... ahem.. heated moment.

"MIN!!"

The older witch pitched forward face first onto the hardwood floor of her and Hermione's bedroom at Hogwarts. She felt a slight crunching in her nose, followed by warmth trickling down her face. Ignoring the sudden pain, she rose up on hands and knees.

"TABBY!!!"

With a surge of adrenaline the mighty Minerva McGonagall promptly flung her forehead into the frame of the king sized bed she shared with her young wife.

A young witch who was going to get soundly cuffed if this wasn't an emergency.

"ARE YOU COM..."

Hermione stepped into the bedroom holding her wand. The tip was glowing pink and blue with a silver-gold swirl of magic whirling merrily about the tip. Seeing her naked wife sprawled unceremoniously on the floor, she cocked her head and asked, "Are you ok?"

Minerva lay flat on her back, spread eagle. She shot her young wife the "royal fish eye" upside down, from the floor. "Does it look like I am alright?" Pure McGonagall sarcasm dripped from every syllable.

Hermione spied her wife's bloody nose, "Oh Merlin! Let me fix that." With the tip of her wand still blinking merrily, the young healer used the center of the thin length of wood. Touching it gently to her wife's wounded nose saying, "Episkey!"

Presently the bleeding stopped, then Hermione waved her wand and said, "Scourgify!"

Her wife's lovely face was promptly restored to all its regal glory except for the rather large goose egg forming on her aristcratic forehead and the fact that she was still flat on her back on the floor.

Naked.

The Headmistress took a deep cleansing breathe and asked, "What were you wailing about dear?"

The "Cheshire Cat" grin appeared in all it's wonderful splendour as the young witch replied, "Oh that? Um, well.. I'm pregnant." There was a long pause, then she added with a nervous giggle, "Um.. with twins."

There was silence.

Dead silence.

Followed by...

The thunk of the great McGonagall's head hitting the floor as she fainted.

"Tabby???"


The news spread rapidly courtesy of the house elf network. The one piece of gossip that had been miraculously left out was Minerva's less than stellar response to Hermione's summons. To say the mighty witch was embarrassed would be an understatement. It didn't help when her new little sister pointed out the huge goose egg on her forehead. Of course Dawn's way of pointing things out was to poke first and ask questions later.

That certainly explained the frightful roar echoing throughout the corridors of the grand castle followed by a tall, thin blur as it streaked past the gargoyles.


Thankfully it was the weekend at Hogwarts. School had been in session only a few weeks or so. It had become the habit of the Headmistress to dine in her quarters with her wife on Saturday and Sunday. Filius Flitwick presided over meal time on those days.

Minerva was indebted to the diminutive charms professor for more than a few things of late. Most especially the amazing enchanted painting he'd commissioned as a wedding gift. It was from his memory of seeing Minerva and Hermione flying together on a broom.* The beautiful work of art was placed above the fireplace in Minerva and Hermione's private quarters.

It was supposed to be the newlywed's private lunch period. Unfortunately Hermione found herself surrounded by well wishing magical and muggle "hens" all clucking over the wonderful news of her pregnancy.

Minerva found herself locked in her private study slightly miffed at loosing such precious "alone" time with her young wife. Sighing grumpily, she stabbed her quill into the ink pot on her desk and continued with some school correspondence. A soft knock at her door elicited a grouchy, "Enter!"

Rolanda Hooch poked her head inside the private study of her closest friend, "Hey?"

Emerald green flickered up at piercing yellow, "Yes?"

The spiky haired witch frowned, "Why are you hiding in here?" A blast of cackling drifted on the air into the room.

Frowning darkly, Minerva replied, "That's a "hen" party and apparently I'm a rooster." She was referring to the current joke making its way throughout the school regarding the creation of their babies.

"Bollocks!" The Flying Instructor exclaimed.

Minerva snorted and answered, "No. Just one."

Hooch couldn't hold in her laughter at Minerva's dry comment. Throwing back her head, she laughed heartily. Stepping into the room, she crooked her finger, "Come on..."

Growling a bit, the older witch followed her friend out to the sitting room where she found her young wife surrounded by Molly Weasley, Jean Granger, Poppy Pomfrey, Pomona Sprout, Ginny Weasley, Aurora Sinistra, Septima Vector, Dawn Granger, Fleur Delacour-Weasley, Angelina Johnson and Albus?

Seeing the raised eyebrow on his best friend's elegant face, Dumbledore shrugged, "Well we girls have to stick together!" He wrapped a long arm around Dawn's shoulder as she burst into giggles.

Minerva shot her little sister the "fish eye" once more.

The youngest Granger pouted a bit saying, "I said I was sorry! Jeeze!" She felt Albus squeeze her a little tighter. Glancing into the dancing blue eyes, she saw him shoot her a wink.

Meanwhile, Hermione noticed that her wife had finally decided to join in. Minerva had been a bit quiet since receiving the news that it actually wasn't twins per se... Hermione had ovulated twice. Each of her ovaries had released an egg. Something that doesn't usually happen.

Apparently it had been a reaction to Minerva's potion induced lust making its way through their bonding. Hermione's body had reacted accordingly. It didn't matter that the young witch had not ingested the potion herself. This was something that was meant to be. At least according to Dumbledore, with Poppy nodding sagely behind him.

Never mind the fact that the deadly McGonagall aim had been true to form. The older witch had impregnated her wife twice in as many tries.

Hermione was at a loss as to what had Minerva acting so distant. By all rights, she should be strutting about like a peacock. Now, her chocolate eyes gazed into the intense emerald peering back at her. She extended her hand in invitation to sit beside her.

Minerva gracefully glided amongst the women in attendance making her way to Hermione's side.

Jean had picked up on the odd vibe. So had Molly and Ginny.

Hermione's mother reached over and patted Minerva's knee, "Well my "daughter" you've gone and made me a grandmother!" Her words induced good natured chuckles throughout the gathering.

Minerva quirked up one side of her mouth in an attempt to add to the humor, "Yes "mum" we just couldn't wait." She shot a brief glance at her wife as she spoke.

Finally Hermione realized what Minerva was upset about...

They didn't wait. They were going to be parents sooner rather than later. She remembered an earlier disagreement she'd had before they were married where Minerva had wanted to wait until Hermione had her practice set up. The young witch had argued that she could do both.

Now that argument was moot.

The choice had been taken out of their hands the moment Minerva drank the potion. The bonding simply reinforced the effect. She was pregnant and was damn well going to move forward with getting the practice established. A rebellious, stubborn snort escaped her plump lips causing Minerva's eyes to snap.

Sensing the coming storm, Jean smiled and said to Minerva, "We've been discussing how we are all going to pitch in and help Hermione get the medical practice off the ground."

Picking up on her mum's line of reasoning, Hermione added, "Dr. Pennyworth has agreed to sell me his Hogsmede practice."

Dumbledore also picked up on what was going on. Smiling he chimed in, "Aberforth told me about a building near his pub that's been vacant for some time. With a little work, it might make an ideal spot."

The Headmistress knew when she was being out-flanked. Sighing deeply, she gazed into the eyes of her wife, "I must admit to being concerned about the timing of our little ones' arrival as well as you working while being pregnant." She saw Hermione about to interrupt and continued, hastily raising a halting hand, "I realize that you can do it all." She winced at her choice of words as she saw a dark frown cloud Hermione's pretty face.

Shaking her head, she stated, "That didn't come out the way I meant it."

Dawn piped up, "I'll say." She winced as Rolanda cuffed the back of her head.

Ignoring Dawn, Minerva continued, "I just want you to be safe." She placed a gentle hand on her wife's tummy and added, "All three of you."


Later that evening, Minerva sat at her vanity brushing out her long ebony tresses. She kept thinking of all the events that had happened since she'd encountered the incomparable Hermione Jean Granger. A small smirk quirked up the thin lips at her contemplation.

Hermione had been standing in the ensuite watching her wife. She understood Minerva's misgivings. She also recognized genuine fear when she saw it too. Her wife was terrified. With that thought in mind, she padded out of the ensuite and over to where her wife was sitting.

Standing behind the elegantly beautiful woman, Hermione placed her hands on the older witch's strong shoulders.

Minerva paused in her task and gazed into her mirror. Green eyes locking with dark brown in the reflection.

"It's going to be fine you know." The young witch stated quietly as she began to massage tense shoulder muscles. Feeling multiple knots, she added, "Relax."

Minerva closed her eyes and allowed her wife's ministrations to soothe not only her body, but her spirit as well. Saying nothing, she let her head fall back against Hermione's ample bosum.

Smiling softly, the young woman continued to work the tense muscles into a state of relaxation. Leaning down, she placed a gentle kiss on the still visible goose egg that decorated her wife's forehead.

Minerva sensed the feather-like brush of lips against her wound and instantly the annoying ache she'd been suffering from simply disappeared. She felt the sweet, gentle brush of lips against her temple.

"Tell me what troubles you so?" The sweet cadence of Hermione's soft voice tugged at the older woman's heart.

The tense shoulders sagged under Hermione's fingers as the Headmistress once again gazed into the reflection, "I don't want anything to happen to you." She sighed and continued, "Both of us have less than admirable records when it comes to our own personal safety."

Hermione grinned at that but said nothing. Nodding, she encouraged her wife to continue.

Frowning, Minerva took a deep breath, "I am the last of Merlin's line. Over the years my family has been less than subtle in their attempts to encourage me to find a mate and reproduce." Her shoulder muscles twitched under Hermione's fingers.

A gentle smile graced the young healer's lovely face, "I've noticed."

A rueful expression made itself known on the older woman's features, "When you came into my life, all the hinting stopped. They knew that I had found my future." The emerald eyes misted at the thought.

Hermione slid her hands over powerful biceps and back up, "Go on..."

Minerva turned in her chair, bringing Hermione to stand in front of her. She opened her thighs a bit and pulled the young witch closer. Wrapping her strong arms around her young wife's waist, she raised the hem of the sleeveless t-shirt Hermione was wearing and placed small butterfly kisses over the exposed skin of her mate's flat tummy.

"My children..." She murmured, nuzzling Hermione's womb.

Hermione felt tears trickle down her cheeks as she ran her nimble fingers through the silky softness of Minerva's wonderful hair, "You will protect them as you have countless children over the years my love."

Gentle hands caressed the young witch's belly and she felt the tingle of their bonding as Minerva connected with the life growing in her womb.

Green eyes lifted, tears plainly visible, "I love you. I thank you." The older witch was having trouble expressing the overwhelming feelings coursing through her.

Hermione understood.

"I love you too."

Clearing her throat, the Headmistress stared into her wife's captivating chocolate eyes, "You will promise me that you will not take silly chances."

Hermione nodded solemnly, "Minerva, these are my children too. I won't do anything stupid. You know that."

The look on her wife's face was a wee bit skeptical, "You are a Gryfindor." As if that explained all of her misgivings. In many ways it did.

Hermione grinned, "Touche." She leaned down and placed a gentle kiss against her wife's warm, moist lips.

"I know what's at stake here Tabby. I promise I'll be careful."

Raising an elegant eyebrow, Minerva nodded and stated, "Just to be certain. I have taken the liberty of ensuring that."

At Hermione's curious glance, the older witch stated loudly, "Izer!"

At once Minerva's elf appeared. Standing beside him was a much smaller elf with the same enormous golden eyes as Izer. Hermione watched curiously as the little elf padded up to Minerva and bowed deeply. Minerva nodded her head in acknowledgment. Glancing at her own elf, the older witch questioned, "Is he ready?"

Izer bowed to his mistress, "He's is ready."

Nodding, Minerva waved her wand in a figure eight pattern and said in a low voice, "I bond thee young one to the lifeforce of my wife."

Hermione's dark eyes widened as she realized what Minerva was doing.

A flash of brilliant white light erupted from the end of Minerva's wand as she commanded, "Bondus!" The light wrapped around the tiny elf, then swirled around Hermione. The young witch felt a tickling sensation in her belly and smiled as the little elf let out a high pitched giggle.

As the light faded, Minerva gazed at the little elf. A stern expression on her face, she said, "Doodleberry you are hereby charged with service to Hermione Jean McGonagall. You will protect. You will serve."

The young witch's eyes flashed in outrage, "God dammit Minerva!"

The elder witch turned to her wife, her emerald eyes glowing with the force of her magic, "You will accept him." The tone of her voice left no room for argument.

The tiny elf scampered over to Hermione and tugged on the leg of her pajama bottoms, "Tis ok's Lady-Miss! Doodleberry serves yous right good I does!"

Hermione gazed into the large golden eyes gazing up at her with such earnest enthusiasm and joy. She felt her heart melting and the outrage at the perceived treatment of this elf by her wife immediately disappeared. He WANTED to serve her. She tore her eyes away from the sweet face gazing up at her in adoration and fastened them on her wife.

Minerva's eyes were serious as she said, "I cannot always watch over you. This young elf whom I have bonded to you will protect not only you, but our unborn children as well."

Hermione frowned, "Tabby, I don't need protecting!"

Izer sensed the upcoming argument, so he stepped to Hermione's side saying, "The last bloods of the lines of Merlin is growings rights here." He placed a gentle claw upon the young witch's tummy. Blinking up at the young woman he added, "Powerful good ands bads magics be goings on. Theys needs protectin'!"

Izer could sense the danger that was growing, he simply could not trace where it was coming from. He knew the children were the focus and he was determined to see Minerva's heirs take their rightful place in the world. Nothing and no one was going to keep him from protecting his Mistress and her Lady.

Hermione sagged her shoulders. There was no way Minerva was going to allow her to simply prance about unguarded and vulnerable. Especially not while being pregnant. She realized that if she wanted to go ahead with the plans for the clinic, then this was what she would have to accept. She could see the stubborn resolution in her wife's serious face. There would be NO argument. Period.

"Fine." Came her whispered reply.

Minerva softened her features, "Please Hermione. I only want you to be safe. If dealing with Voldemort has taught us anything, then the lesson is that we must always be on our guard."


The next day, Sunday, found Hermione, Minerva, Albus and Rolanda standing in front of a fairly good sized building across from The Hog's Head. Aberforth Dumbledore stood behind the small group rocking back on his heels.

"I told you it was a good building." Dumbledore's elder brother rumbled. His deep voice booming with delight.

The building itself was a two story stone structure. The roof sagged a bit where the wooden shingles had rotted with age and water had seeped in causing some structural damage. Nothing that a wee dab of magic couldn't repair Albus had whispered in Minerva's ear when he'd noticed the emerald green eyes narrow at the sight.

A sturdy oak strap hinge door was fastened securely in the front center of the building. Grimy windows surrounded by weather beaten wooden frames graced both sides of the front door. Eight windows, in various states of disrepair, lined the front of the second story of the aged structure.

The small group began to walk the perimeter of the structure taking careful note of every detail. The fireplace at one end of the rectangular construct seemed to be in fairly decent shape. Of course the bats currently roosting in the floo would have to be relocated.

The back side of the building had a door that had seen better days. It hung precariously from a single rusty hinge. A scrap piece of lumber had been fastened acrosss the door to keep it closed. Just down from the door was another window. This one had been boarded up.

Hermione could feel her wife's ire rising steadily as the inspection progressed. Hopefully Minerva wouldn't burst a blood vessel when they checked out the interior. She felt a tiny tingle of magic pulling at her belly. Glancing to her side, she could make out the small elf shaped shimmer following her. She shook her head and smiled.

The other side of the building proved to be in satisfactory condition so the small group once again congregated in front of the stone structure.

Aberforth smiled, his bearded face turning up in a silly grin, "Well?"

Albus and Rolanda looked at Minerva as well.

The older witch rolled her eyes, then stared down at her wife, "Do you want to look inside? Or would you like to find something else?" Minerva knew by the look in her wife's dark eyes that this building was what she wanted but she figured she might as well ask anyway.

Grinning from ear to ear, Hermione clasped her hands together saying, "It needs a slight bit of work on the outside, I'd like to see the interior."

Aberforth nodded and reached into the pockets of his dark brown robes. For some reason, Hermione thought he looked like a Druid.

Albus must've had the same thought, because he asked, "Abe, where did you get those horrid robes?"

The older Dumbledore grinned, "I won them in a card game."

Albus raised a bushy eyebrow in silent query.

Aberforth nodded and added, "Won this building too."

"From who?" Rolanda asked, hands on hips.

"Mundungus Fletcher."

"Oh shit."

Everyone looked at Hermione in surprise. The young witch had the good grace to blush as she asked, "How can you be sure that the old plonker actually owned it?"

Aberforth nodded, "I had the same thought. Everything checked out. It belonged to his mum and when she passed, it went to him. Now it's mine.. or rather your's." He handed Hermione the key.

Surprised, the young witch felt her mouth fall open, "Whut?"

Minerva's eyes widened in surprise as well.

Albus grinned, his clear blue eyes twinkled merrily as he clapped his brother on the back and said, "Congratulations from the Dumbledore brothers. Not only on your nuptials but on the upcoming birth of your children."

Aberforth swatted his younger brother grumbling, "You old gay ham! We could've just given them the bloody key!"

Albus shook his head, "And miss out on the drama? Never!"

Minerva stared at her best friend, her eyes clouding a bit. She wiped her face surreptitiously hoping no one saw. No such luck. She looked up to see Rolanda smiling broadly and Hermione's "Cheshire Cat" grin.

"Aw Tabby.." Hermione whispered taking a step towards her wife.

Flushing in embarrassment, the older witch mumbled, "Got something in my eye."

Rolanda took the key from Hermione, "Let me go take a look inside." The newlyweds watched as the Flying Instructor along with the brothers ventured inside.

Hermione pulled her wife into an embrace. Not caring that they were standing in plain view. "I love you sweet Tabby." She stood on tip toe and placed a gentle kiss on Minerva's soft lips.

The couple jerked away abruptly as a blood curdling scream erupted from the building. Both witches drew their wands warily and crept towards the entrance of the ramshackle structure.

They stopped suddenly as Albus rushed out of the door screaming, "Get it off! Get it off!" He proceeded to dance about the street frantically wiping at his shoulder. His purple and orange robes swirling to his mad movements.

Rolanda Hooch scurried out, a bemused expression on her handsome face. She shot a look at Minerva and began to giggle.

Perplexed, the Headmistress moved towards her helpless friend as he seemingly swatted at nothing. Her keen eyesight caught a small creature clinging to the back of his left shoulder. Just out of reach of his frantic hands.

Meanwhile Aberforth had joined Rolanda as they watched the most powerful wizard in the world wriggle madly in the center of the street. He seemed to be attracting quite the audience as well. Soon galleons, knuts and sickles were being tossed at the former Headmaster in appreciation of his "dance".

Someone in the audience screamed, "Take it off baby!"

Carefully Minerva crept up to her friend. Spying her approach, Albus halted and stood trembling, "Get it Tabby! Get it off!" He sounded like a petulant child. The older witch frowned as she spied what was causing his anguish.

A rubber Tarantula.

"You ruddy nutter!" She sputtered pulling it off his back. She held it dangling between her long index finger and thumb.

Albus stepped away, "Ewwww!" His bearded face scrunched up in morbid disgust.

Hermione suddenly realized with a wonderful sense of smug glee that the most powerful wizard in the world was terrified of spiders. She held a delicate hand in front of her mouth as giggles threatened to spill forth.

Hooch had no sense of decorum. She threw her spiked head back and howled.

Albus narrowed his bushy brows as he stared at his brother who was suspiciously backing away and heading towards his inn. Realizing who had pranked him, he screamed, "Aberforth! I am so going to hex you!"

The elder Dumbledore broke into a run. He'd just made it to the entrance of the Hog's Head when the backside of his robes burst into flame.

"Wooooo Hooo Hooooo!"** Came a surprised yell echoing from inside the inn.


A short distance away, two women watched with malicious intent. The elder woman turned her steel grey eyes on the ocean blue eyes of the younger, "Soon my daughter. Arthur Pendragon shall have his revenge. Once again our family shall rule the world!"

The younger woman caught a glimmer of madness burning in her mother's eyes and for the first time since hatching this mad scheme, she felt doubt and a tiny niggle of terror.


-to be continued

AN: * See "The Boat House" Chapter 2.

**Anyone familiar with the old Tom & Jerry cartoons will know that sound. ;D