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Hermione blinked and looked up at her, but Minerva was giving nothing away. The young woman stared at her for a bit longer and then shrugged and stood up. If she hadn't been paying as much attention as she was, she might have missed the tiny grin Hermione gave as she pulled down her jumper, but Minerva didn't draw attention to it. Instead, she shifted her desk back and cushioned the whole floor. She would be a fool to believe that Hermione would fail; it would surprise her more so if she did. And while she wasn't looking forward to being stunned in front of the whole class of 6th years, she would make the sacrifice for a bit of goodwill between them.
"Now," she said, using this as much a teaching moment as an apology. "Watch Miss Granger's wand movements, it requires precision, without the incantation you must make every motion precise. I do not think we will be surprised if Miss Granger achieves what she sets out to do, but there is no shame just in case it does not work. Here is some information that is useful but not academic;" she waited until they all looked at her. "Some days, wordless casting just isn't feasible. It requires concentration and patience and sometimes, even, a little luck. Now." She felt the corners of her mouth twitch as she met Hermione's eyes for what felt like an age. "Mr Potter?" She turned and looked at Harry critically. "If you are feeling quite brave, would you be so kind as to make sure I don't make a total fool of myself?"
There was a smattering of laughter as she settled herself. At the last moment, she held up a hand to Hermione and put her wand on her desk. It would not do for her to accidentally retaliate or put a shield up and ruin the potential goodwill she was trying to build. Hermione looked at her for a long moment and Minerva merely raised an eyebrow in challenge. There was so much communication going on that wasn't being verbalised, the rest of the students almost disappeared.
"Professor?" Harry asked her quietly. "Do you want me to catch you, or -"
"You won't need to," Hermione said quietly, but confidently. "She will not hit the floor."
Minerva smirked at her as she set her feet and glanced at the rest of the room.
"Please allow Miss Granger to concentrate on trying to stun me without interruption. It would not do for something to go awry."
A small smile appeared on Hermione's face and Minerva rejoiced at the progress. She tried to relax and not think about the fact that she was giving Hermione a free shot during a time when they weren't on the best of terms, but even so, she found she trusted Hermione and she nodded as Hermione looked up at her.
"Ready?" she asked unnecessarily.
"When you are, Miss Granger."
She watched the movement and was not surprised at all when the spell left Hermione's wand and crashed into her. Barely a moment later she was awoken and found herself stuck in mid-air. She blinked and looked at Hermione, who smirked at her cockily.
"Whoa," someone said.
Hermione stepped forward and held out her hand, taking Minerva's and cancelling the spell that held her still. She stood with the help of Hermione's grip and looked around at the shocked faces.
"That was -"
"I can't believe she -"
Just as Minerva was about to ask, the bell rang and the scraping of chairs heralded the inevitable.
She held onto Hermione's hand and turned to the class.
"When was the last time I allowed you to dismiss yourselves?" she said sternly. Hermione pulled her hand away but leaned against Minerva's desk instead of returning to her seat. "I want half a foot on what you observed here today. I expect it to be technical rather than anecdotal and you will read the next chapter on nonverbal casting before tomorrow. Now," she said after a long pause. "You may go."
Harry was the last student to leave the room and he did look between them once or twice before she nodded to him and he went, closing the door behind him. Minerva turned to look at Hermione, who was leaning quietly against the corner of her desk. She watched as Hermione sighed and looked up at her.
"I miss you," she whispered.
Minerva rubbed her forehead and remembered all the advice and the discussion she'd had in the week they'd not been speaking.
"I have missed you too," Minerva admitted, making Hermione look up sharply. "Does that surprise you?"
"Yes," Hermione nodded. "I expected you'd never want to speak to me again."
"Not once did that enter my mind," Minerva whispered. Hermione's eyes met hers and she could see her searching for the truth in her statement. "Not once, Hermione."
Her name seemed to cement something in her mind and a tear formed and rolled down Hermione's cheek.
"Come here, Trouble," Minerva whispered.
She took a deep breath as Hermione's arms wrapped around her and she held her tightly. Hermione made no noise but Minerva felt her shoulder getting damp and she tightened her hold.
"I miss them so much," Hermione hiccupped. "But I missed you more. What does that say about me?"
"It's okay," Minerva whispered against her temple. "I suppose," she pulled back and pushed Hermione's hair away from her face. "Do you want my opinion?"
"Always," Hermione nodded tearfully.
"I suppose, in doing what you did, you put that notion to bed in your mind. I still do not agree with it Hermione, I," she let her forehead rest on the younger woman's and closed her eyes. "I'm so angry at myself and I'm so -" She didn't want to say disappointed. "Annoyed," she settled on. "That you didn't come to me."
"When though," Hermione pulled away jerkily. "When was I supposed to say anything to anyone? I see," she made a face. "Saw, my parents once a year for a few months and during that time, I am completely on my own. I don't, I didn't -"
"Okay," Minerva said, pulling her back into her arms. "Okay." They fell into silence again. Hermione was right. When should she have broken that news? "Listen, I have spent an extraordinary amount of time soul-searching this week. The way I see it, we have two options. We either retrieve your parents, attempt to reverse the spell and then force them into hiding again anyway providing the reversal does not do any damage. Or," she sighed. "We figure out how to move past this so that we may move forward with," Minerva shrugged. "Our mission -" Hermione's shoulders dropped and she hid her face in her hair until Minerva gave in. "- and our friendship."
"Is it wrong to just miss them but not really want to care anymore?"
"No," Minerva soothed. "If I were smarter, I would suggest that it might be a coping mechanism, but," she sighed and bent a little to meet Hermione's eyes. "Every day we are coping with something, so I think it is okay."
"I think I maybe got used to them not being around, you know?" she whispered. "As a magic user with muggle parents, you have to let them go, somehow. I think it's why I want you to change that."
"I still have to work within the bounds of the rules, but yes; I agree." She cupped Hermione's cheek. "We will work on it."
"Can we," she swallowed and looked away.
"Yes," Minerva chuckled. "Whatever you want."
"Really?"
"Within reason," she sobered, seeing the mirth in Hermione's eyes.
She laughed and something inside Minerva's chest loosened.
"I was just going to ask if we can read tonight maybe?"
"Then definitely, yes," Minerva smiled. "I must meet Albus first, but afterwards, yes."
"About my knives?"
"Yes," Minerva sighed. "Ever the troublemaker."
"I'm telling you," Hermione shrugged. "They're perfectly safe. Weird," she conceded. "But safe."
"I am sure that Albus will be able to conclude the same," Minerva said, a little testily. "But nevertheless they will be checked."
"I never," Hermione paused and Minerva felt a little bit of tension creep back. "Anyway. What did you think of yours?"
"Oh," Minerva chuckled. "It was -" she suddenly realised they should have been in the Hall at lunch. "I will tell you tonight, for now, you need to go to lunch."
"I'm not really hungry."
"You will eat something," Minerva said gently. "And then you will go to class and then you will come and see me later." Hermione groaned so Minerva pushed her a little bit. "And tomorrow you will wear your proper uniform, alright?"
"Yeah," Hermione huffed.
"Thank you," Minerva smiled. "Now. Off you go."
"What are you going to eat?"
"I have a spare next so there's time for me. You do not." Minerva insisted. "Now go."
"'Kay," Hermione sighed.
She pulled her jumper down and Minerva watched as she gathered her things and paused once they were in her bag.
"Come 'ere," Minerva indulged. She had no idea why she was suddenly so touchy-feely and she felt a little bad for her friends who usually had to force her into a hug. She held Hermione tightly for a little while and felt the younger woman relax as she snuggled into her neck.
"Have a good afternoon, alright?"
"'Kay," Hermione whispered. "You too," she smiled and Minerva returned it.
As she left with a bit of a spring in her step, she almost bumped into Albus coming in through the door.
"Hi," she muttered as she left.
Minerva chuckled as Albus stared between them with a little grin.
"That bodes well, my dear?"
"I had her wordlessly stun me," Minerva grinned. "Apparently that was all that was needed."
Albus blinked and stared at her for a moment before he, too, chuckled.
"Did you really?"
"I did," she snorted. "Though I still have no idea what happened, I didn't get around to asking her."
"She enquired after the Pensieve," Albus said. "Perhaps we can explore it together."
"Is that wise?"
Albus sighed and inspected his hands.
"I know you wish to protect them, dear heart, and I do as well," he said gently. "But," he made a face. "They are part of this now. I cannot keep Harry from it any longer," he rubbed his face. "To do so would be horrendously unfair even though I had considered it before your Hermione made the decision she did."
"You are talking riddles again old man," Minerva sighed. "But I take your meaning. Did you mention something about Draco Malfoy to me?" she asked quietly.
"I did," he nodded but said nothing further.
"Hermione did as well," she frowned. "At some point, I don't recall now. But perhaps that requires a little more attention."
"Oh Tabby, I do not know how to keep all of it where it should be."
"I know," Minerva soothed. "But together we will keep abreast of it."
He hummed and the bell went for the last session.
"My dear, we have quite missed lunch."
"I have a spare next and later, we have work to do."
"I have not forgotten," he chuckled. "I know you are eager to find the answers although I do not envision us finding many."
"I just want to ensure their safety," she muttered. "It is imperative to me."
"And to me, dear heart," he smiled. "Make sure you eat. I will see you in a few hours."
She hummed as he left and she decided on the back of moving past the issues with Hermione that she'd have lunch with Poppy. Perhaps after 45 minutes of putting the world to rights, it would actually all be alright.