I have no real idea where this is going, though I do have a few scenes in mind now that I've had some time to think on it. These updates will be short, and they will come when they come. I do hope you enjoy reading as this story evolves.

Minerva smiled brightly as she listened to Hermione's tale about why exactly she was getting a muggle degree. While the tale itself was not particularly riveting, the older woman had always loved to watch how ever expressive her younger companion's face could get, particularly when she was irritated.

"So I tried to explain them how absolutely swamped I was with the Potions Master work, and how I couldn't possibly take on a muggle degree at the same time, and you know what my mother asked me?" Hermione said, obviously exasperated by the very remembrance.

"Do tell," Minerva urged, still grinning.

"She asked if I might get a time turner to help me do both!" Hermione finished. "Can you believe that?"

Minerva laughed outright. "It was hard enough to get it for you the first time," she said. "Though if you and your friends hadn't managed to destroy most of them during your fifth year, that past experience might have actually made your mum's idea plausible."

"Not helping, Minerva!"

"Who said I was trying to help?" the older witch asked, grinning lazily. Tea with Hermione after class on Mondays and Thursdays had become a given, and the comfort between them was growing week by week. It had taken Hermione a bit of time to loosen up around her former Professor and mentor, and as Minerva had hoped, that time had allowed her to decide if she'd merely pursue friendship with the younger witch now that they'd reconnected, or if she's pursue something more.

"Well, I should probably get going," Hermione mused after a quiet moment. "I swear, our teas go later and later each time. I'll be dead on my feet at the Ministry tomorrow."

Minerva stood, following her companion's example. "I don't know why you insist on working on top of pushing through two degree programs. You can't have much leisure time at all with the way you're going."

"I have enough free time to join you for tea two nights a week," Hermione said pointedly.

"And how many Owls have you gotten from Ginny Potter about how neglected she's been feeling?" Minerva asked.

Hermione chuckled. "You're better company. Also, I'm fairly sure Harry would be upset if I was ogling his wife."

Minerva stopped short at that comment. It was the first time Hermione had said something blatantly flirtatious to her since they'd reconnected. It was what she'd been waiting for; her own interest in Hermione had been ignited two weeks in, but she hadn't wanted to push if Hermione was not receptive. "Hermione Granger," she said in her clipped tone, though teasing in nature. "Was that a pass?"

The younger witch smiled coyly. "If you want it to be, then I expect you to take me out on an actual date in the near future. These teas have been lovely, but I'm a hopeless romantic and there is something entirely… intoxicating about the thought of being wooed by the Headmistress of Hogwarts."

Minerva and Hermione had nearly walked all the way back to where their automobiles were parked by now, and they were relatively isolated by this late hour. She grabbed Hermione by the wrist, and pulled her close. "Is that a fact?" she asked, running her fingers gently along the brunette's sides, causing Hermione to shiver.

"Uhuh…"

Minerva's hands crept upward, thumbs grazing the underside of Hermione's breasts as she titled her lips down to the younger woman's ear. "Are you sure?" she whispered.

"Yes!" Hermione moaned. "Unless you're planning to skip the wooing and go right to seduction…"

"And if I were intent on that?"

"I'd said you're doing a rather good job at it," Hermione muttered, nipping at the underside of Minerva's jaw.

The older woman sighed happily at the contact. "Minx."

"You bloody started it!"

"Hermione," Minerva whispered, pulling away just enough to look her companion in the eye. "I'd like to kiss you."

"At this point," Hermione replied, raising her hand to softly caress Minerva's cheek. "I'd be rather vexed if you didn't."

Minerva leaned in. Hermione leaned in. Lips met softly, careful but curious, reserved but wanting. Before a minute had passed, their tongues began to dance and hands wandered, and continued to do so until Minerva took Hermione's wrists, stilling in the movement that had been venturing toward the underside of her by now very disheveled blouse. "Darling, we're in the middle of a parking lot. Perhaps we should calm ourselves."

Hermione took a deep breath. "When can I see you again?"

"Tomorrow night?" Minerva asked. "Perhaps I can pick you up at your flat, and then we'll go on a proper date?"

"With actual food involved?"

Minerva laughed. "I'm certain that much will be part of it. Though if I'm supposed to be wooing you, then I better but more thought into it than just dinner."

"What time should I expect you?"

"Six?"

"Perfect."

Minerva escorted Hermione to her car, and offered one final kiss before closing the drivers' door behind the brunette and making her way to her own car. As the engine to her convertible roared to life, Minerva smiled. She hadn't been this excited about something in a very long time. And to think, she'd been rather irked when the Dean had called in in the favor she owed him to teach this summer course…

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