A/N: okay...no one likes cliff hangers. My bad.
I will show you one more thing tonight. Please don't be afraid. This person is your ride back to Hogwarts. I need you to trust me and not attack. We will talk about all of this tomorrow and I promise I will answer all your questions.
Still mesmerized by her eyes, Minerva dazedly nodded. Hermione smiled and ran into the trees. Minerva remained unmoving, Hermione's eyes having rendered her breathless, until she heard a twig snap. She turned around in time to see her ride home step out from the trees. What she saw, caused Minerva to stumble backwards in attempts to get away.
It was a tall creature, with large folded wings slowly walking out of the dark of the forest. Upon fully entering the clearing, it stopped and studied her. The creature made no move to come closer and after several heartbeats, Minerva realized it wasn't going to attack her. She decided to study the creature in turn and took a few curious steps towards him.
From what she could see, the creature was completely black and with a highly muscular body. His arms were long, hanging by his sides, and in place of fingers, he had long claws that flexed as she stared at them. She looked up to see him watching her closely. His eyes appeared to be dark blue with no pupils, as they shined with the moonlight bouncing off of them. It was strange, but she could see intelligence in his eyes as he stared at her.
Continuing her examination of him, Minerva eyes traveled lower and widened. The creature wore not a stich of clothing and thus, his genitals were on display. He was quite clearly a male. A large male. Minerva grew red, but she could not stop staring and he seemed to enjoy it if the low growl and twitch of his member was anything to go by. She gasped and felt her body heat. Quickly averting her eyes, she ignored the raise in her heartrate and swallowed, mentally cursing herself. Merlin what was wrong with her? How could such a creature get her so….
Suddenly, he walked towards her, startling Minerva who immediately took a step back and drew her wand. The creature held his hands up in a gesture of peace and slowly walked towards her. She stood still and watched him warily, her eyes unwillingly sneaking quick glances at his lower half. As he neared her, Minerva remembered Hermione's words and took a deep breath. Slowly, she placed her wand back into its holster. The creature walked closer and, upon reaching her personal space, simply stared at her for a while. Minerva craned her neck up to look in his dark eyes and they stood there for a few moments. He gave what appeared to be a grin, though it was difficult to tell since his teeth were as terrifying as Hermione's. Since she didn't truly feel as though she was in danger, she thought it safe to assume he was smiling at her. He then wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her tight against him. Minerva gasped, she could feel his warm member pressing against her.
He spread his large wings, and they flew high above the forest. She quickly forgot about his groin and, after a bit of undignified screaming (she's fairly certain he was laughing the entire time), slung her arms around him, holding on for dear life. She was never fond of flying on anything other than a broom. Cats don't fly. After a several moments, she began to calm. She allowed him to turn her to the side in his arms to see Hogwarts, and her fear of being dropped immediately disappeared.
The sight of the castle swiftly took the air from her lungs, because Merlin, she had forgotten how beautiful and heartwarming her castle was from above. She completely relaxed as they circled Hogwarts a few times, flying over the lake as well. The lake was beautiful as the moonlight bounced off of it and she could see the reflection of them flying over it.
Minerva couldn't help but be entranced by the sight and-
Was she imagining things or was she being nuzzled by the creature?
She furrowed her brow as she contemplated how to react to him gently rubbing his nose on her neck. If she was being truthful, she did feel a pull towards him that extended past his physical appearance. However she was unsure if it was genuine or if she was affected by some sort of thrall. The creature obviously meant her no harm, but she had never felt so tempted to allow such affection so soon after meeting, much less return it. It was so unlike her.
Nevertheless, she decided to wrap her arms tighter around the creature's neck and lay her head on his shoulder. He made a low, rumbling sound as Minerva accepted his affection and flew in loops, causing her to shut her eyes tightly. She still did not enjoy flying.
After a few more moments of flying over the lake, she yawned and the creature immediately changed directions, heading towards the castle. When they approached her window, the creature crouched on her windowsill and slowly lowered her to the floor.
"Thank you." She said and moved to close her window as he jumped back from the window and hovered in front of her. The creature grinned and before she could react, his large clawed hand was cupping her cheek. Minerva's breath hitched as a thumb traced her bottom lip and, using the same hand, he grabbed his member and squeezed it. Minerva's eyes widened and once more her body heated with arousal. He raised his free hand and pointed towards her, before he jabbed his thumb to his chest. After that, he flew away back to the forest.
Minerva numbly realized that he likely just claimed her as his...and she couldn't say that she minded. Though they had been unable to communicate, she had indeed had a good time with him, after the initial fear of course. It was this realization that snapped her out of her daze. Thoughts she had no desire to think flew through her mind as she closed the window and she knew how best to silence them. Walking to her drink cabinet, she poured herself a glass of fire whiskey. She grabbed the glass and began to walk towards her room when she suddenly stopped. Minerva looked at her glass, shook her head, and walked back to her cabinet. Putting the glass down, she instead chose to grab the bottle along with a bottle of the strongest scotch she owned.
Late Saturday morning found a cross (and slightly hungover) Minerva staring down a sheepish Hermione Granger. Upon waking and remembering the previous night, she had grown angry. If she were honest, the correct term was embarrassed. Her actions last night, the staring and the holding and the enjoying, were all ridiculous. She had to have been under a thrall of some sort! There was no way she would've been drawn to such a creature so quickly.
"What are you?"
Hermione tilted her head, There is no name for our kind. We just…are.
"Of course." She said, pinching the bridge of her nose and sighing, "How long have your kind been around?"
Hermione smiled, Since the beginning of magic. Those before me helped the founders build this school. We attend the school along with the students here and those not in school who choose to remain close, live in the forest.
There were creatures in her school, under her nose and she hadn't even known about them. This realization only added to her anger, her temper had reached its boiling point. Standing, she yelled,
"You mean to tell me that that others like that thing have been attending this school?! And no one knew? What if something had happened or someone was HUNGRY? Merlin forbid had young Malfoy angered one-"
Minerva's speech halted as Hermione rushed around the desk and stood toe to toe with her. The room suddenly became dark as though the sun was blocked out. Hermione removed her glasses, leaving Minerva to stare at angry clear blue eyes and terrifying teeth.
You may have known me most of my life but presently you have insulted me and my kind greatly. I just told you that MY people built this school along with the founders. Do you think me a savage Minerva? Do you think I'm going to eat you alive?
My people have existed PEACEFULLY in this school longer than you have been alive. People you have known your entire life kneel before me and will turn on you at my word. Minerva McGonagall you may be headmistress, but let me clue you in on something. As leader of my people, it is I who has the FINAL SAY on who is head of this school as was agreed by the founders to ensure our protection and survival. I can have Hogwarts change your office from that of headmistress to the room of a very unwanted guest. If I were you, I would be very, very respectful in the next few moments.
Swallowing her fear, Minerva spoke in a placating, apologetic tone, "I apologize for offending you and your people, Hermione. I should not have lost my temper. I forgot that you are the leader of an entire magical species." Hermione nodded. Forgiven. You may continue asking questions.
Minerva tried to shake off the fear pooled in her stomach. Having lived through three wars, it took a lot to scare Minerva, but Hermione was incredibly intimidating. Both of them sat back down and the room became light again after Hermione replaced her glasses. Minerva's fear was replaced with curiosity,
"How did you do that?"
Hermione smiled as she replied,
It's quite fascinating actually. My sensitivity to light is a nuisance. I charmed these glasses to block out all light, but I do not enjoy wearing them even behind closed doors during the day, so I did some research. I found a spell that allows me to block all light sources in a room. It's like a huge impenetrable black coat covers anything giving off light.
Minerva raised her eyebrows, impressed. She had never heard of such a spell.
It's a very, very old spell. It came from a book is handed down from leader to leader with several helpful spells.
Minerva furrowed her brow as a thought occurred to her, "Did Dumbledore know of this?"
Hermione shook her head and gestured for Minerva to follow her towards the wizard's painting. Dumbledore watched them, but refused to make eye contact with Hermione. Scowling, she began,
Typically, the head of the school passes the knowledge of our existence to the future head. But Dumbledore? Hermione shook her head, We knew that if he was ever to find out about our existence, he would attempt to force us to fight in the war.
We are neutral at all times, except for when necessary for the survival of the wizarding world. Had Riddle won, we would have swiftly intervened. Technically, we did. We place ourselves on the front lines of each side to determine whether or not we are needed. Narcissa is one of us and she falsely reported to Riddle on Harry's death.
You see Dumbledore was equally as cruel as Riddle if not more so. Both played people in this war like chess, uncaring of the lasting effect, so long as his side won. But at least you knew where you stood in Riddle's game. Dumbledore allowed you all to believe you were knights when you were but pawns. That was the kind of man he was, always looking for an edge that would allow him to still appear 'good'. He wouldn't have been sure if we were for him, so he would've made sure we weren't a problem. Dumbledore would have alerted Riddle of our existence, knowing that when we said no to him as well, he would've attempted to annihilate us. Ask him yourself, he can hear me.
Minerva, shocked and prepared to defend her dear friend, opened her mouth with a retort when he stopped her.
"It is true Minerva, though I am not proud. I did what I felt was necessary for the war. Had she come to me with this information, I cannot deny that I would have alerted Tom. I have to be sure they are truly neutral, even if it meant Tom attempting to wipe them out." Hermione growled,
Thus forcing us to choose to fight against Riddle, or remain neutral and hope we survive the war.
"Albus..." Minerva shook her head in disgust. "Albus, I knew that you were...but no so..." Minerva sighed regretfully. "It is my own fault. I along with everyone else believed you to be incapable of being morally corrupt. I forgot that you needed me as your conscience more than ever. I'm sorry old friend." Minerva turned and left.
I am sorry, Minerva. Hermione communicated as she followed Minerva out of the room.
Minerva waved her hand and sat at her desk. Hermione watched, unsure of how to help her friend, before sighing and leaving.
A/N: I'm kinda uncertain about this chapter, lemme know what you guys think.