Chapter 5 ~ Anything but ready…
Minerva stared at Hermione, unblinking and unmoving – knowing that she may indeed have had to face these very questions when she wrote the letter did not mean she herself was ready for them. In truth, quite the opposite.
She was anything but ready.
She had a splitting headache, was exhausted beyond measure, her side ached with abandon from her momentary diversion last night that had caused her to splinch and ultimately spurred her to write the letter that had placed her in the untenable situation she was now in.
However, over the course of her life she had long since learned that there were very few things one had time to prepare for; especially concerning what you wish you had time to prepare for.
Her internal musings offered little comfort to the question waiting to be answered. A question that she herself currently didn't know how to respond to. Either response was seemingly easy – merely singular syllable words; some of the first words you learn as a child. Though no matter which way she responded, she felt as though – she'd be damned. Whether it be her heart or her soul.
Still, brown eyes were staring at her; waiting for an answer she wasn't ready or able to give.
And yet – she had to.
"I…" She deflected from Hermione's primary question. "Am of course flattered." She held up her hand, forestalling any further questions or comments from the woman opposite, as her back marginally straightened and she pushed herself to answer the question for which she had no answer. At least no good answer. "But, I must ask; if you realize what you are asking, Hermione?" At her startled look she begrudgingly went forward, "I am the Headmistress of Hogwarts and while not enslaved to the school; I do spend nine months of my life here. I am decades, not years; older than you. And outside of transfiguration, where do our commonalities lie? And while I find your company, incredibly enticing; I have to wonder if your perceived attraction is a misguided belief of who you think I am as you know so little about me."
"Do I know what I am asking?" She shook her head, "No. As you are correct. I know very little about you. I know you are the Headmistress of Hogwarts and decades older; but I still find your company enthralling. I can't explain it, no matter how hard I have tried over the years; and trust me Minerva, I have tried. And that is what I am asking;" She edged incrementally forward, "An opportunity for you to know me and me…to meet the woman behind the enigmatic Hogwart's Headmistress whom I am mutually attracted too. Even though, Merlin do I wish I wasn't. Because, while I don't know what complications a potential relationship or even deeper friendship between us would mean for you; I know the pitfalls that await me and they are vast and deep. However, despite the aforementioned…" She reached out, shaky fingers brushing along the edge of Minerva's jaw, "I want to try." She pulled back, voice barely a whisper. "The question is whether or not you do?"
"It isn't about trying, my dear." She winced upon moving back, words leaving her mouth in a gasp. "And I fear that I am not in a position to make a decision - " Her left hand innately reached over grabbing her right side, a gush of warmth coated her fingers.
"Minerva, what's the ma…" Hermione didn't have to finish her question as crimson blood oozed over long milky fingers. She felt herself standing while altering her previous question into a statement. "I'll get Poppy."
Minerva's fingers tightened over the area, "No need." She whispered, "The elves have already alerted her."
"When were you injured?" Hermione stepped around the table that had separated them, about to lean down; but Minerva's imperceptible shake of her head halted any further movement.
"I splinched." Minerva could feel beads of perspiration running down the back of her neck, "Earlier this evening."
"And you didn't get it treated?" Hermione admonished.
"That doesn't surprise me," Poppy answered as she finished climbing the steps, drawing both women's gaze. "Although, you being here does." Poppy stated without preamble, her eyes momentarily resting upon Hermione before sliding to Minerva. "Now it looks as if it's along your rib cage," She eyed the piece of furniture, "You'll have lie down so I can treat the area." She already had her wand out and before Minerva could utter a protest, she found herself sitting on the floor and the chesterfield the size of a pea.
"Confound it all, Poppy." She snapped the pain in her side throbbed in protest to the sudden movement, not counting the bruise that would undoubtedly be gracing her posterior.
"Sorry." Poppy went to raise her wand again, but Hermione's hand was already moving and in the next blink; Minerva was lying on a queen sized bed.
Hermione probably would have laughed outright at the situation, had Minerva not been in pain. It was obvious that transfiguration was not Poppy's specialty. Hermione grabbed one of the pillows off the chair, placing it behind Minerva trying to ignore the way her robe had shifted, exposing more creamy skin.
"Now, if you'd …" Poppy's words died off as Minerva turned to Hermione.
"I shall owl you." Minerva's impeccable dialect had been replaced by a heavily laced brogue. "To answer your question."
"If you feel the need to owl me; then I believe I know the answer already." Hermione whispered, feeling tears threaten to spill from her eyes.
"Hermione I…" Another bout of pain stopped Minerva's commentary, her fingers tightening across her side as she fell upon her right arm.
"Whatever the two of you were and are still discussing, it's over. And while I thank you for your help, Hermione; please see yourself out." Poppy pointed towards the door, "Minerva needs to be treated, not agitated."
Hermione knew she should leave, could feel herself want to move that way; but her eyes slid past Poppy and to Minerva's pale form – their gazes locking and she felt the forbidden truth fall from her lips, barely loud enough to reach her own ears and hardly loud enough to even be called a whisper. "I love you. Always have."
Oxox
A/N: The good news – have had a few minutes to write; the bad news for those wanting an update on Bonding, it wasn't on it. The better news, you can expect several updates to this story over the next week.