A/N: So this went exactly as I didn't expect...
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After such a hard time, the week seemed to whizz by. By the time Wednesday spun around, Hermione was bouncing in her seat at breakfast.
"Bloody hell woman, will you calm down," Ginny laughed. "You're making me seasick."
"Sorry," Hermione mumbled. "Hey, can you -"
"Yes, I will make sure the boys get your homework and yes," she interrupted before Hermione could begin. "I will check in downstairs."
Hermione had finally had enough of cleaning and the boys certainly weren't going to help so she'd set up and charmed a cleaning crew of mops and buckets and brooms and they were checking on it every few hours. She had seen the Fantasia film as a child and it still gave her nightmares, but she couldn't deny that as long as it was going well there was definitely merit to it.
After they split up for breakfast, Hermione made her way to Minerva's rooms. People smiled at her cautiously - she wasn't in her uniform and had decided not to bother with covering her scars either. She had spent a long time looking at them in the mirror over the last few days since speaking with Filius and meeting Minerva straight after and decided that she was not going to be ashamed of them. Ginny told her they looked awesome and the boys didn't care so she was wearing a shirt that opened across her chest and made them very visible.
Most people didn't really know where to look.
Michael nodded her up and she climbed the stairs but Hermione paused at the top step. The door was open a crack but it was clear that Minerva was not expecting her. Hermione peeked through and found Minerva, dressed in Muggle attire, ready to leave while she tidied her parchments and she swayed to a song on the wizarding radio behind her desk. Hermione's mouth dropped open as Minerva started singing. She had a beautiful singing voice, tinged with her accent and Hermione fell in love all over again. She watched for a little while longer as Minerva hummed a few lines then sang a few more while she fixed her hair in the mirror. She stepped away from the door and beamed. She knew that she would never forget those few seconds as long as she lived.
Michael was wearing a grin from ear to ear in his frame as she stumbled out.
"I -"
"I wanted you to see," he said gently. "That she is happy. With you in her life, she is happy, Hermione. And I know you're making great strides together but I want yeh to know that she loves yeh, lass. I know you have suffered and I know she has too, but you just need to hold on a little longer until she fully realises it."
Hermione's whole countenance changed at the insider information and she grinned as she straightened her shirt.
"If you might tell Min I'm here, please Michael," she grinned.
"It would be my honour, my Lady."
Minerva's smile didn't drop as Hermione joined her and Hermione's heart thumped at the beauty of it. She could feel Minerva's excitement and for once, a complete lack of fear. It was glorious.
"Are you ready to go?" she asked in lieu of a greeting.
"Am I ever," Minerva chuckled. "I feel as giddy as a schoolgirl." There was a small pause as she looked up properly. "Oh," she blinked. "You look lovely."
"Thank you," Hermione smiled. "You do as well. I figured that it's warm enough out and I've decided that I'm not going to hide them anymore."
"I think they look rather spectacular, to be honest," Minerva muttered, just inside her earshot.
Hermione laughed. To be honest, she was a little taken aback at the candour and the enthusiasm. Minerva must have seen her face before she could force it back to neutral and she laughed this time.
"You would not know this," Minerva said, feigning secrecy. "But I have wanted to visit the Cambridge Library since I was a little girl."
"Then I'm glad you're coming with me."
"Wild horses could not keep me away," Minerva smiled as she met Hermione's eyes.
Hermione bit her tongue so she didn't say anything stupid as she felt a literal burst of happiness from the woman opposite her and offered her arm.
"Shall we then?"
"Yes please."
Hermione shivered a little as their arms hooked around each other and she drew Minerva over to the Floo.
"I actually don't know where would be the best to go," Hermione mused. "Albus didn't say."
"I will go to the Ministry. You should go to Arabella's, I think. She is part of the order."
"Oh," Hermione thought back. "Harry and her know each other."
"Yes," Minerva chuckled. "Apparently Arabella had been watching Harry the whole time. Imagine my surprise," she mused. "Anyway. Floo there, then meet me outside the University," Minerva nodded. "That way we will not arouse suspicions."
Hermione nodded and went first, spinning out of the grate into a living room that stunk of cat dander. She wrinkled her nose as an old lady mustered into the room.
"Oh," she blinked. "You're Potter's friend."
"Yes," Hermione nodded. "I'm just on my way South. Minerva said I should Floo here then Apparate from here?"
"Fine," she nodded. "The garden is best. Won't disrupt the cats."
Hermione blinked and looked around. There were what seemed like dozens of pairs of eyes staring back at her and she recognised the intelligence in them.
"Oh," she muttered. "Kneazles?"
"Yes, I breed 'em," Mrs Figg said. "Know much about them, do you?"
"I have one," Hermione smiled. "Crookshanks."
"Good breed," Mrs Figg nodded as she opened the door. "Honourable. Loyal."
"He is," Hermione smiled. She didn't stay and instead popped out of existence without another word. She appeared between a small shed and a pond outside the library and looked around carefully before she stepped out onto the main path. It was beautiful and she meandered her way to the main entrance without incident.
"Good afternoon," Minerva said as she joined her.
"Hello," Hermione grinned. "Get here alright?"
"Indeed, you?"
"Oh yes, sweet old lady, I suspect doesn't get to talk to many people."
Minerva didn't answer but they walked on regardless. The building was rather imposing in its dark brick but Hermione winked at Minerva and led her through the black doors. She knew enough about it to know that of all of the university libraries that might help, this would be the one that would be hardest to navigate. The separated sections were handy if you know what you were looking for but for general and almost nonsensical searches, she wasn't sure it would be as helpful.
"When was the last time you were in a Muggle library?" Hermione asked surreptitiously as they approached the desk.
"Before you were born," Minerva quipped. Hermione snorted as they were greeted.
It did not go quite according to plan. Hermione tried to explain they were visiting from up North and that they needed to do some research but the woman insisted that they have ID. Hermione was just about to lose her temper when Minerva stepped forward. Hermione stared as Minerva started speaking and almost missed the tiny little twitch that her fingers did. She glared at Minerva as they walked through the main building.
"Minerva McGonagall," she huffed. "How come you get to do that."
"I call you Trouble," Minerva chuckled. "Doesn't mean I cannae cause some as well."
Hermione groaned and they walked up the steps to the main areas.
"How the hell are we going to start somewhere in here," Minerva muttered.
"Let's start with dragons," Hermione muttered. "And go from there. Do you remember these?"
Hermione pulled out the little card drawer and received a withering look from Minerva.
"I was just asking," she laughed. "In a few years, they'll probably have computers, then you really will need my help."
Minerva tutted but nudged Hermione with her hip before she went counting through the cards with her fingers.
In all, it was glorious. It took them a little while to figure out what they needed but before long they were sitting opposite each other with stacks of books on either side of them and a pad of paper and a pencil each as they took notes. Hermione could have burst; she was so happy and Minerva, though she said very little, felt about the same. It was so soft and quiet and lovely that Hermione didn't want it to end. She felt her stomach rumble about halfway through the day and looked up. Minerva's hair was not as severe today and some of it had fallen down around her face. Hermione's fingers ached to push it back behind her ears but she resisted until Minerva felt her staring.
"What?"
"Just looking at you," Hermione smiled softly. Minerva blushed and stuck her finger between a page. "I'm actually hungry, I wondered if you wanted to take a break?"
"Certainly," Minerva nodded.
They gathered up their papers and Hermione shoved them in her small bag and left a note to say that they would be coming back before they followed the signs for the tea room. It wasn't particularly fancy but they shared a slice of cake and got a cup of tea each and went back to their research.
When the librarian came around to mention that they were closing soon, Hermione blinked and looked up. It had gone dark outside and Minerva was blinking owlishly at her as they stared at the woman.
"I'm sorry." Hermione recovered the quickest. "We completely lost track of time."
"Happens all the time," the woman chuckled. "You can leave the books, the students who work here part-time will be around tomorrow morning before we open."
Hermione nodded and glanced at Minerva, who winced as she stood. They packed up their reams of paper and Hermione opened her bag to slot them in.
"I -" Minerva shrugged.
"I know," Hermione chuckled. "Me too. Shall we go home or would you like to stop for dinner first?"
"Dinner?"
Hermione laughed as they and quite a few others spilt out onto the University grounds.
"Yes, you know that thing you eat after lunch but before supper?"
"Och, cheeky hen," Minerva muttered, shoving Hermione gently. She didn't allow her to go too far and wrapped her arm around Hermione's as a cool breeze blew. "Perhaps a spot of dinner," she agreed. "I wouldnae want you wasting away."
"Ah, it's me you're worried about," Hermione laughed. "To say nothing of that stomach that's been growling for the last ten minutes."
"That possibly has something to do wi' it, yes."
Hermione laughed again and wrapped her arm around Minerva's shoulders.
"Alright, let's go find something."
They wandered together down the pathways into town. The foot traffic was fairly constant on a weeknight and in many of the small cafes and pubs, the noise was deafening with students relaxing after hours.
"Oh," Hermione breathed deeply. "Let's go wherever that is."
Minerva grinned and pointed down the lane to a rather unassuming-looking place. They were seated and had ordered in barely any time at all.
Minerva exclaimed over the choices and they picked out a starter to share and a main each and sat back. Minerva didn't even quibble over a glass of wine while Hermione opted for water.
"I am shattered," Minerva sighed as she savoured her wine. "I had forgotten how much proper research takes out of you. Marking essays is one thing, brain work is quite another."
"Did you find anything interesting?"
"Interesting," Minerva chuckled. "Oceans of interesting things but nothing too pointed for what we need. You?"
"About the same," she shrugged. "There's a bloke who thought the Pyramids might have been built by aliens - or," she chuckled as Minerva snorted and took another sip of wine. "At the very least, with help from a civilization that was far more advanced than anything that we've ever seen. On the surface it sounds ridiculous, I know, but I also can see small tendrils of interesting correlation between what he's saying and the admittedly minimal knowledge I have of it."
"Oh?" Minerva said, her interest piqued. "Go on then, convince me."
Hermione chuckled and set about doing so. They talked endlessly. They debated finer points and Minerva ordered another glass of wine. Hermione didn't care that they were being stared at as they closed the kitchen down and were eventually asked to leave.
"So you see," Hermione laughed as they made their way down the street. "Maybe he's correct. Maybe it was my ancestors that were helping. And we decided just to forsake all of humanity for reasons unknown and leave it just as it was."
"You are utterly delightful," Minerva muttered as they came together under a streetlight.
"Minerva," Hermione chuckled. "I am being serious."
"Oh, my darling, so am I."
Hermione nuzzled Minerva's neck and hugged her tightly.
"This may yet be one of the best days I've ever had," Minerva muttered against Hermione's shoulder.
"It's definitely been one of mine," Hermione agreed. "We should do it again next week."
"Oh, a fine tale they'll all weave," Minerva chuckled.
"I don't care," Hermione muttered, tucking her cold nose under Minerva's ear. "I got the girl, in the end."
Minerva threw her head back and laughed. Hermione beamed at the vision and wished she could stay in this moment forever. She wasn't sure what possessed her, but she reached forward and drew Minerva into her body so she could cup her cheek and press a soft kiss against her lips.
"Oh," Minerva muttered.
Time was immaterial as Hermione held Minerva's face in her hands and kissed her for as long as she was allowed to. Minerva was cautious but she held Hermione's hands against her cheeks and kissed her back. Hermione's heart was beating so loudly in her ears that she almost missed the tiny noises that Minerva was making as their lips caressed one another. She slid her hand around the back of Minerva's head. Minerva' gasped and Hermione used the opportunity to slide her tongue along Minerva's.
"Oh," Minerva gasped as Hermione withdrew and kissed her shoulder. "Oh, Hermione -"
"I don't want to say that I'm sorry," she muttered. Her hands had gripped Minerva's hips fiercely so she could not run. "But -"
"I don't -" Minerva shuddered. "I'm not -"
"Speak to me?" Hermione asked softly, terrified of what was to come. "Tell me I didn't just royally fuck that up."
"No!" Minerva almost yelled. "No," she shook her head. "That was," she shuddered. "I mean, I don't -"
Hermione pulled her into her arms and held on tightly. She didn't speak and she wasn't super concerned with what they looked like. She only wanted to make sure Minerva was okay.
"That was too soon, wasn't it?"
"No," Minerva trembled. "But yes. I have had wine and you are -"
"You aren't drunk," Hermione smiled. "That's not what just happened. I pushed, I'm -"
"Don't apologise for that," Minerva begged. "Please don't."
Hermione let her forehead rest against Minerva's as they breathed the same air for a short while.
"I do not regret that," Hermione whispered. "But I understand if I went too soon."
"I -" Minerva's shaky hand covered her mouth. "It might be."
"That's okay," Hermione soothed. "It's alright. I am sorry, for moving too quickly. You looked utterly exquisite in the light, in the dark and it's," she sighed. "It was beautiful. I will let you lead me from here."
Minerva nodded and tucked herself under Hermione's chin. They didn't speak at all but Hermione knew that for whatever reason, she needed to get Minerva home.
"Deep breath," she whispered into Minerva's hair. "I'm taking you home."
They didn't speak again but Minerva let her in when they reached Michael's portrait. For once he remained quiet as they went up the steps and into the living room.
"I had fun tonight," Hermione said, breaking the silence. "Thank you for coming with me."
"I too -" Minerva cleared her throat. "I had fun too. Thank you for inviting me."
Hermione could have cried at how careful they were being but Minerva caught sight of her and stepped in to wrap her arms around her.
"I am not upset," Minerva whispered, her lips caressing Hermione's ear. "I am merely overwhelmed. Thank you for bringing me home. Sleep well."
Hermione kissed her crown and stepped back.
"You as well."
She traipsed back down to Michael and watched as he swung shut with a quiet click.
"I moved too soon," she muttered in response to his unanswered question.
"Sometimes it is like that," he soothed. "She did not look upset."
"No, but -"
"Go to bed," he ordered. "You'll both be right as rain in the morrow."
She touched his frame gently and did as she was told. She didn't bother changing into pyjamas and fell into bed with a groan. She stared up at the curtains above her bed with a tiny smile playing on her lips as she traced them. She fell asleep with that same smile on her face.