A/N: Yall... I am soooo frickin sorry this took so long to get out. Enjoy!
It was a week of little to no sleep before Minerva put on the glasses Bellatrix had given her. Her trepidation at seeing what percentage of her school was housing gargoyles made her put the task off. However, her curiosity won out eventually and she grabbed the glasses before heading to the great hall for dinner. When she put them on everything looked the same, except for the huge black creatures sitting at the house tables.
There were at least ten of them at every table, less than Minerva had suspected. She chuckled mentally as she recalled a dream in which she placed on the glasses and found all of the students to be those big black creatures. In another, Hermione had revealed that the entire wizarding world was comprised solely of gargoyles and that Minerva was going to become one whether she liked it or not. She shivered, and glanced around at the creatures.
Apparently, they could feel her eyes, and they all turned to her and lowered their heads in a bow before turning back around. Minerva marveled at the action. She would have to speak with Bellatrix about that. She tried not to dwell on the fact that her main informant on all things gargoyle was a former death eater she had always known to be criminally insane.
Suddenly, someone beside her cleared her throat. When she turned to see who, her eyes bulged. "F-filius?" He bowed his head respectfully and Minerva took her glasses off. Then back on, just to double check. Off again. Her face ached as she tried not to laugh, and she turned away from the man. She let loose a snicker and lifted her tea to hide it, but ended up putting it down for fear of dropping it as her limbs were becoming weak with the effort it took to hold in her laughter.
She stood, and stuttered out, "I-I think I shall retire." Minerva quickly walked to her rooms and once behind closed doors, finally let loose the laughter than had been building, "Oh Merlin! T-the smallest…person…on my staff!" Minerva doubled over with laughter and wiped her eyes, before chuckling and walking to her desk. She'd apologize to her friend eventually, but really. How was she supposed to react to that? She furrowed her brow, how exactly did that full sized creature fit into Fillius's teeny tiny body? The thought sent her into peals of laughter and Minerva had to grip the wall behind her.
The last day of class before winter break, while Minerva was reading on her couch, Bellatrix came through the door. Minerva removed her glasses, and addressed the woman, "Hello Bellatrix. Is there news on Hermione?" She frowned, "And how exactly are you getting to my office without getting caught?" Minerva asked as the woman moved to stand in front of her and bowed at the waist, "Your Highness." Minerva waved her off, embarrassed, "You don't need to do that." Bellatrix straightened and sighed, "Yes. I do. For you to ask me not to do so is to say you are rejecting Hermione. Are you?"
Minerva stammered, "I…well it's…I mean-"
"Forgive me for interrupting, but I did not come here for that." Bellatrix said as she interrupted Minerva and quickly moved to open the window. "Although, you might want to figure out the answer to that question soon. The king is coming."
Minerva stood, "Hermione? Is she well enough to fly?" Bellatrix shook her head and turned to Minerva, "Absolutely not. But she is stubborn. She's only just woken up and the first thing she did was demand I come straight here and be sure you would be willing to see her. We have managed to extract a promise from her to rest here in Hogwarts, since tomorrow is the start of winter break. Please make sure she does so. Bed rest and warm baths." Bellatrix smiled as she heard wings coming, "Though I think you will not have any trouble making her listen. Good luck." She bowed and walked towards the door. She stopped just past Minerva and spoke softly, "I can think of no better queen then you." With that, she was gone, a quick wave of her hand extuingishing the fire, the moonlight the only thing lighting the room. Minerva watched the door close behind the raven haired woman, stunned.
Minerva.
She turned her head and was greeted by the sight of a tired Hermione smiling at her. Minerva smiled in return, happy to see shining blue eyes, but then frowned and narrowed her eyes as all the anger, worry, and frustration she had been feeling began to build. "You reckless, foolish, ridiculous child!" She yelled, "What on earth possessed you to not only lie to me about your identity, but then go prancing about France and Italy like everything is perfectly fine? And then I find out from bloody Bellatrix bloody LeStrange of all bloody people that you were severely injured and have again injured yourself due to your own neglect and some insane need to impress me?! Wipe that damn smirk off your face!" she shouted, frustrated that Hermione seemed to not be taking her seriously. The girl obviously had no clue how much sleep Minerva had lost over her.
While Minerva was lost in thought, Hermione saw her chance. Before Minerva could react, Hermione pulled Minerva to her and kissed her. When Minerva didn't respond, she pulled away, but was quickly yanked back into Minerva's arms and her face peppered with kisses.
"Oh Hermione I've been so worried about you!" she said admist the kisses. She began to repeat herself kissing Hermione still, "Don't you ever do this to me again; do you hear me? Never again, Hermione."
Minerva….
The woman ignored the amused voice in her head and began examining Hermione head to toe and spun her around, checking for any visible injuries.
Minerva! Hermione laughed. When she was spun back around, Hermione stopped her the only way she could think of.
Minerva held to Hermione's shoulder in shock as soft lips pressed against hers and strong arms wrapped around her. Relaxing into the kiss, one hand moved up to tangle into the bushy hair. She hummed in pleasure when those lips began moving against hers, and she scratched lightly at Hermione's scalp in return. Hermione gave an inhuman grown and it sent a pool of heat between Minerva's thighs as the sound vibrated against her. Slowly, the brunette pulled back and her hands came up to cup Minerva's face.
I'm fine. And I'm sorry. I should've told you, but I was afraid you would ask me to stop seeing you and that would have broken me. I love you, Minerva.
Minerva moved her hands to Hermione's and ran her thumb over the back of them and shook her head, her reason slowly coming back to her. "You're a student, Hermione."
She shrugged, I'll take my NEWT's next week. I am only here for you, Minerva. Surely you know that.
Minerva sighed. Now that she was aware of Hermione's feelings, she did know that. To be honest, she was surprised the young woman had chosen to return to the school. There was nothing anyone here could teach her unless she wanted to learn the art of teaching. She closed her eyes and whispered, "You're so young."
And yet, intellectually, we are a match. Don't forget that I am somehow the King of an entire race of people as old as magic. Minerva, please. Please, just lay with me tonight. We can talk about all of this tomorrow. Just let me hold you and wake up next to you in the morning. Please.
Minerva opened her eyes and met Hermione's blue ones. Hermione kissed her forehead gently. Just fall asleep in my arms. At the feeling of soft, loving lips on her forehead, Minerva caved. She nodded and silently, Hermione grabbed Minerva's hand and led them to the woman's bedroom.
A/N: Sorry it's short, but I hope this makes up for the wait! I already have a good bit of the next chapter written, so hopefully that won't take as long. Let me know what you think! Also, to those of you who read both of my current stories, which is your favorite?