A/N: We're swerving a little to find out how Ginny is, so enjoy nonetheless.
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Ginny was very, very, aware of the eyes boring into her throughout dinner and as the main course disappeared from the table, she turned to look at their Transfiguration Professor expectantly. The woman was startled as Ginny met her eyes but Ginny nodded in acceptance of the unasked question that seemed to fill the gap between them. There wasn't much more they could do but Ginny had no doubt that she would need to explain where Hermione was and she would need to do it concisely before the woman had her at the end of a wand.
"Hey," she said as she broke eye contact and leaned over to Harry. "I have to see Professor McGonagall after dinner. You guys coming or -"
"No way," Ron baulked. "I haven't done my homework yet."
"Coward," Ginny snorted. She looked over at Harry and smiled at his uncomfortable look. "Yeah, it's fine," she laughed. "Don't worry, I'll just go."
"I mean, I will, I just -"
"Just do your homework, right?"
"Mine's nearly done," Harry muttered. "Ron's is really not done."
"Hey," he protested.
Harry laughed and Ginny left them be. As dinner wrapped up, she stood and Harry met her eyes for a moment before she rolled them.
"Get out of here."
She hung around as the Hall cleared and glanced up at the Top Table. Professor McGonagall had left already and she sidled out of the hall and along the corridor to the Transfiguration classroom.
"Ginevra," Professor McGonagall quietly as she entered the classroom. "Who did I tell you you were so similar to in your first Transfiguration lesson?"
Ginny smiled.
"You told me I was just like Charley. And I still kinda like that, you know." Professor McGonagall chuckled. "Where did you and Hermione go on your first date?"
The professor blinked at her, but Ginny was unmoved. She smiled as she waited, and waited, and then waited some more before the woman shifted and cleared her throat.
"Um," Minerva whispered. "I suppose," she winced.
"Geez, Professor, I didn't mean for it to be an issue. It's okay."
"Minerva," she corrected before continuing. "And no," she muttered. "No, this is -" She sighed and leaned against her desk. "Ginny," she whispered. "I was just trying to figure out which of our outings was the first 'date' I suppose."
"And?"
"You are as bold as brass," Minerva chuckled.
"I don't mean to be," she protested. She walked to the front of the classroom and pulled herself onto a desk. "And hell, I'm not even sure which Hermione thinks was your first date, I was just curious about what you thought."
"How much do you know?!"
Ginny blushed to her hair and Minerva blinked in horror.
"Oh," Ginny suddenly realised what that must look like. "No, no, not everything. Please don't think she would ever do that to you. But I know, I dunno, some of it."
"Enough to make you blush!"
"I'm a Weasley," she laughed. Minerva cracked a smile. "And look, she comes back to the dorm looking so happy some days," Ginny teased. "You must be a really great kisser."
"Ginevra!"
They fell quiet for a few moments before Minerva chuckled, then outright laughed as she nodded towards the door to her office.
"You may as well as long as you don't mind?"
"I don't mind, Proff -" She saw the wince and changed tact immediately. "Minerva."
"You may be the only one of all of you who manages that," Minerva mused.
"It's not our fault you're larger than life, is it," Ginny grinned. "You're my best friend's..." She paused. "I dunno what do you want to be called. Lover?"
"Och," Minerva scoffed. "Cheeky. I do not have a word for what I am. But," she paused. "Otherwise, I am just a woman, Ginny."
"No," she said softly as they entered Minerva's sitting room. "I don't think you're just anything."
"Flattery?"
"You have always been our favourite. You give us too much homework," she grinned. "But you're fair, and you're kind - even though you're strict, and you're funny."
"Is that right?" Minerva asked as she offered Ginny a seat.
"She was exhausted, by the way. I realise that's why we're here. I'm not sure what happened; she was fine then we got back to the dorm then, she just was tired."
"She has taken on so much. And with all this, too. She also does not sleep well, I do not think. Her body has finally called a halt to proceedings."
"I don't think she minds. And you know she's going to pass the year with flying colours so that's not too big a deal, is it?"
Minerva shook her head.
"May I ask you something I do not really have a right to?"
"Of course," Ginny grinned. "I'm all for illicit questions."
"Ginny," Minerva chuckled. She sobered quickly though, and pulled at a thread on the cushions. "What does she say about me? To you, I mean."
Ginny looked at her for a long time. She met two stormy green eyes and smiled.
"That you're the love of her life," she said quietly. "And that she'd wait all of time for you to be okay with this because she understands why it is hard. She knows it's unfair to you and she knows that it's difficult but she just wants you to trust her. And eventually, perhaps love her."
Professor McGonagall laughed quietly and looked at the ceiling.
"Oh Ginny, if only you knew."
"You could tell me," Ginny suggested. "If you wanted to, although I genuinely understand if you don't."
"What do you think about it?"
Ginny sat back and gave Minerva the courtesy of a real answer.
"At first, I think we were all a bit shocked." Minerva made a noise but Ginny didn't want her to hang onto that. She suddenly found herself in a unique position where she might be able to help Hermione in some small way by helping Minerva feel a bit better about it as well. "But, to be fair, a whole lot was going on back then." Minerva's face fell and Ginny didn't like that at all. "I think once you'd had a chance to think about it, and figured out what you were prepared to do or give? She's been the happiest I've ever seen her. You want to know what I think about it?" Minerva took a deep breath and nodded. "I think that from the outside the age gap is a big number. That's an undeniable fact, but anyone who knows either of you has an immediate understanding of it. I've never seen two people more perfectly matched. Where she has shortcomings, you don't and where yours are, hers aren't. You were made for each other, Min," she blushed when she realised how much she'd said. "And I think that's pretty great for both of you."
"You think all that?" Minerva chuckled as she wiped her eyes.
"Min? Minerva?" Ginny corrected.
"Oh, you might as well," she chuckled. "Hermione does."
"Well, if you're fine with it, that's what she calls you so I guess it's stuck in my head. But, what I mean is, it's okay, you know? To both be wary of being in love with her," she met Minerva's eyes. "But also to be in love with her. Everyone that knows her loves her a little bit and you know her best. I know that it didn't start off that way but we love her now and that's the important part. There's no way around it."
"You see a lot more than most give you credit for, don't you? I apologise for my part in that."
"I'm the youngest and only girl of seven, Min," Ginny laughed. "I see so much, you wouldn't believe it."
"Do the boys, Harry and Ronald, understand what -" she winced. "I mean, Hermione and I -"
"They try not to think about it, I think. But they'd do that about anyone Hermione found herself in love with." She grinned as Minerva looked at her. "You're not special in that regard." Minerva snorted. "They are supportive of both you and her, though, so please don't ever think they wouldn't be. I mean," she shrugged. "As I said, we love her," Ginny said, sitting forward and reaching hesitantly for her hand. It was gripped tightly as Minerva sat forward as well and they stared at each other for a while. "We love her and that means that anyone she loves, we do too. After all, this has happened to all of us. We're family, Min. I dunno if she explained that when it all started but whatever this thing is," she pulled up her sleeve and rubbed her wrist for half a second, knowing that the mark they shared was there. "We're a family. And that means you and us as well."
Minerva's chin wobbled and Ginny got up and went around the table to sit on the arm of her chair.
"Guess we should have gone through that at the beginning of all this, shouldn't we."
"Oh," Minerva breathed. "I am not sure I would have been so receptive."
"Love takes time, I think," Ginny smiled. "A lot longer than people realise. Especially in these circumstances."
"I do not know how to thank you," Minerva muttered. "For being there for her when I was being," she scoffed at herself and Ginny let her. "Vitriolic."
"That's what family does, Min," Ginny whispered. "And you probably need to let that go when you can. She doesn't hold grudges, not real ones. She wouldn't ever hold that over you. I can't imagine what that was like for you, but I've seen Mum and Dad be in love all this time. I know what love looks like and this?" She smiled supportively. "This is it, Min."
She was yanked into Minerva's arms and held tightly. She chuckled quietly as she heard the sniffles against her shoulder.
"In a funny way, this makes you my sister-in-law, I think."
Minerva sat back and laughed. Ginny grinned at her and reached out to wipe her tears.
"We're your new family, Min. If you need help, if you need anything, ask us. Any of us. We're Hermione's family. So that makes you one of us. Whatever you need."
"Thank you, sweetheart," she whispered. "I do not know how to thank you adequately for easing an old woman's mind."
"Bollocks," Ginny grinned. "You're not old. You're only as young as the woman you're lovin', so you're fine."
Minerva seemed to freeze and her mouth opened and closed a few times before she could find her voice.
"GINNY!"
She laughed and laughed until she fell further into Minerva's side. They laughed together until it naturally petered out and Minerva wrapped her arm around her shoulders.
"I don't think Hermione would have found the time to tell you this yet but we are in the process of purchasing some property where we might have a backup in case anything goes awry with the castle."
"That's a mighty big step, Minerva," Ginny blinked. "No wonder she's exhausted!"
Minerva poked her side and Ginny laughed as she squirmed.
"Did you guys plan that?"
"No," Minerva huffed. "We -" she paled and Ginny wondered whether Hermione's demure smile when she got back Monday morning had anything to do with the awkward look on Minerva's face now. "Well, it was suggested Sunday, it just so happens that one came up today."
Evidently, they had spent Sunday night together.
"Oh," Ginny smiled. "Well, what about it? Did you like it?"
"We really did," Minerva whispered. The ghost of a smile tickled the corners of her lips and Ginny was beginning to see the woman that Hermione had fallen in love with instead of their professor.
"Where is it?"
"Well actually, that's what I want to discuss." Minerva smiled. "We will need a Secret Keeper. I do not think she will quibble."
"I'd be honoured," Ginny smiled. "Thank you."
"I want you to really think about it though," Minerva said softly. "It is a big ask. And it is dangerous."
"I would love to," Ginny reiterated. Minerva smiled and patted her hand.
They lapsed into silence until Ginny suddenly yawned and Minerva chuckled as she jostled her shoulders.
"Come on now, back to the dorm with you. Thank you for spending your evening entertaining an old woman."
"Stop that," Ginny scoffed as she helped Minerva stand. She wrapped her arms around Minerva's shoulders and smiled as the older woman gave in and did the same. "I won't be upset if Hermione doesn't want me as your Secret Keeper but I won't say anything until you guys talk, okay?"
"Thank you," Minerva smiled. "Get some rest."
"I will, night Min."
"Good night."
"Hey Min?" she said before she left.
"Hmm?"
"I think you're going to really enjoy life with 'Mione. And I think I'm going to really enjoy life with both of you."
Minerva's face cracked into the most beautiful smile and Ginny grinned. She nodded her goodbye and walked back to the Dorm.
Truthfully until this moment, she hasn't really completely understood. Despite her words to the contrary, the evening had really helped her see what Hermione meant when she gushed about their Transfiguration professor every chance she got. And now, she understood. Minerva was just as funny as Fred and George used to tell her. And though she wasn't as touchy-feely as some of the other professors, she cared in a way that made you feel like you were the only person who had ever existed.
Ginny grinned as she climbed into the Portrait hole and spied the boys playing Gobstones.
"At the risk of sounding like Hermione, I hope that means your homework is finished," she chuckled as they both look caught. "I'm going up. Night."
"Hey," Harry said, stopping her at the bottom of the stairs. "You okay?"
"Yeah," she smiled. "It was good actually. Nice, ya know?"
"I do, I remember. She's kind and she cares, ya know?" He smiled at her and her stomach flip-flopped as she nodded. "Anyway, sleep well, Gin."
"Night."
She kissed his cheek and went up to bed, choosing not to look back when she got to the top. She settled down after getting ready and listened to her dorm mates whispering. She was well used to it now and she didn't really care that it was most likely about her. Ever since this whole thing started they were all very much apart from the rest of the students but she wasn't sure she cared.
This family they were building was kinda great and as she closed her eyes, she realised she was smiling.
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Hermione woke in a sweat and sat up. It was only after she realised that she could smell something burning that she noticed her hands were on fire.
"Shit," she hissed, putting them out and patting the few little smouldering patches on her covers. She was breathing hard as she blinked and looked around. Crookshanks hissed from the bottom of the bed and she apologised quietly. "I dunno what happened. I'm sorry Crooks."
He yowled like he was unimpressed but he came up to her and brushed against her chin before he jumped down off the bed to disappear to parts unknown.
She lay back and tried to sort through the jumble of thoughts cluttering up her mind. She'd been dreaming about something. She wasn't sure now it was dissipating, but she had been so scared. She was pretty sure she'd been fighting against people she couldn't see. She suddenly needed to see Minerva and she threw back the covers and marched down the steps, still in her pyjamas. She dodged Filch in the hallway and went right up to Michael.
"Let me in."
"Och, woman! Yeh gave me a fright. Everything alright?"
"I need to see her, let me in," she said, not really understanding why she felt like she did.
Michael opened without another word and she moved fluidly through Minerva's space and opened the bedroom door. She was fine. Minerva was asleep in her bed, where she should have been. Hermione sighed and moved further into the room where she could focus on her love in the dark. Her eyes fluttered and Hermione hesitated before she reached forward and traced Minerva's temple.
The touch made Minerva's eyes flutter and in the next moment, Hermione remembered that Minerva was not a hapless maid.
"State your purpose."
Cold steel pressed against her throat. Minerva had barely moved but in a moment had drawn her knife on Hermione. Hermione froze and blinked, trying not to react to the obvious threat and instead took a deep breath.
"It's me," she said quietly.
"Wha -" The knife was removed and Hermione saw Minerva's fingers twitch and the candles spluttered to life. "What the bloody hell are you doing?! I could have killed you."
"I -" Hermione wasn't sure what to say and she struggled at all to speak as she stared. "I -"
"Darling?" She blinked hard and to her eternal shame a tear rolled down her face. "Hermione, what the hell is the matter?"
"Nothing," she managed. "I, nothing, I just -"
"Are you hurt? What is it?"
"Nothing," Hermione said after a deep but shaky breath. "I had a bad dream and I was fighting. My hands were on fire when I woke up and I think I was -" Her voice cracked and Minerva hesitated to reach out for just a moment before Hermione broke completely. "I think I was losing you."
"Darling," Minerva sighed. She sounded so sad that Hermione turned away, scrubbing the tears from her face angrily.
"It's nonsense of course. I wouldn't ever let them touch you. But, I mean I -"
"Hermione," Minerva said softly. "Breathe for me."
"They think they can get at you, they think they can -"
"Trouble."
Minerva's hands covering hers shocked her and she blinked and looked down. Minerva made a noise of astonishment as the fire in Hermione's palms encompassed theirs together and they stared at it. Hermione looked at Minerva, trying to see any discomfort on her face but there was none. Only wonder.
"That's new," Hermione whispered, feeling a little more like herself. She flicked her hands out of Minerva's grasp and the flames dissipated.
Minerva made a noise and looked down at her hand like she'd never seen it. Hermione watched, fascinated as she brought her right hand closer to her face and rubbed at her wrist.
"Min?"
"I see it," she whispered. She blinked and looked up at Hermione for barely a moment, then back down. "I -" She rubbed her thumb over where Hermione could see her beautiful little tattoo and huffed. "I saw it, I did. It's -"
"Beautiful," Hermione smiled.
"Yes," she whispered. "I had forgotten. That seems so long ago, Ginny was -" She shook her head. "Darling, why are you here?"
"I think I had a bad dream, about losing you," Hermione whispered. The crushing feeling inside her belly was overwhelming. "I didn't mean to wake you, I'm sorry."
"I'm perfectly fine, love," Minerva said softly. "Nothing untoward has happened. I'm here."
"But you were -"
"Hey." Minerva's hand was so soft on her cheek that Hermione leant into it with a quiet whimper. "Come here," Minerva said quietly, pulling on Hermione's sleeve. "Lay down."
"I shouldn't," Hermione whispered. "I know you need to -"
"Lay down, Trouble," Minerva chuckled. "It's alright, come on."
Hermione blinked and yawned widely as she crawled across Minerva's body and dropped down beside her.
"No class tomorrow morning," Minerva said gently. "You're going to get some sleep. Be normal for a while."
"No, I have to -"
"Ah -" Minerva interrupted. "No, I'm going to throw my weight around here. You need some sleep. You are exhausted, you said so yourself that you are hormonal. Sleep, here if you need, but you will sleep. Alright?"
"I don't know if I like you telling me off," Hermione chuckled quietly around a yawn.
"Come here." Hermione snuggled up to Minerva's side and lay her head on her chest. Minerva chuckled and Hermione felt her hair being gathered up and twisted down her back. "It's not perfect, but it will do for now."
Hermione shifted and Minerva squeaked.
"Ack, are you not wearing socks?! Your feet are freezing."
"Oh," she mumbled, already moving away. "No, sorry, I -"
"Hermione?" Minerva insisted. "Come back, it's alright. We just have to warm your feet up a bit before you can press them against me," she laughed. "Come here. I have you."
"Okay."
"Now," she said once Hermione was settled back where she'd been. "Listen to me. I am perfectly fine. We are not fighting at the minute, we are safe, here in bed. Hogwarts is the safest place we can be."
"But -"
"Ah," she said quickly. "Hogwarts is the safest place we can be right now. Just as I would not allow anyone to harm you, I know you would not allow anyone to harm me."
"I would kill them."
Minerva seemed to let that sit.
"We are safe, for the moment, love. It will be okay."
"Okay."
"Close your eyes. Everything is fine."
"I like it when you take care of me," Hermione whispered, full of sleep already and unable to hold her tongue.
"I like taking care of you," Minerva whispered back.
Hermione's smile would not be hidden and pressed even closer as she felt Minerva's arms wrapped tightly around her. She lay with her ear pressed against Minerva's chest while her fingers scratched over her scalp.
And she slept.