A/N: I'm completely deviating from Canon for the quiet love of Ronald. I do put him through a lot in so many of my fics so we're going to be kind to him in this one. Even though he really only appears when I remember him. Which makes me feel even worse lol So anyway, according to Lore, the Weasleys did buy him a Cleansweep 11 when he became prefect but for fiction purposes, they did not in this story. Just roll with it lol I have no idea what we're doing lol
-0-
Hermione practically danced to Minerva's after Charms were let out. She spied her coming down the corridor opposite and slowed her walk to join her.
"You look happy?"
"Oh, I am," Hermione grinned. "Very, very happy."
"Why?" Minerva asked carefully.
Hermione declined to answer while they entered Minerva's rooms and while Minerva was settling her reams of parchments on her desk, Hermione snuck up behind her and slid her arms around her stomach.
"Ack," Minerva laughed as Hermione used the opportunity to tickle gently. "You are in a much better mood today, what has happened?"
"You, madam," Hermione whispered against the soft skin of her neck. "Are loved by so many people."
"What?" she asked as Hermione kissed a path from her shoulder to her ear.
"You are loved for all the reasons that I love you. And so much more that I have yet to discover."
"Oh?" Minerva breathed as Hermione's hands splayed out over her stomach. It was one of her favourite places to put them and it seemed like Minerva wasn't too upset by that fact as she arched into them. "Herm -"
"I love you." Hermione breathed as she turned Minerva and cupped her face. She kissed her hard and pulled out the pins from her hair and moaned as it trickled through her fingers like water.
"Not that I don't -" Minerva gasped as Hermione nudged her towards her desk and picked her up to sit her down on it. "Hermione!"
"I love you like fire."
Minerva gave up her protests and kissed her back. It was messy, they bumped noses more than once and Minerva laughed when Hermione's fingers got caught in her hair but Hermione had lost her breath more than once as Minerva's long fingers pressed and smoothed over places while they got lost in each other. Time was immaterial. She had no concept of it as they stood there, leaning against Minerva's desk, ensconced in their fortress of solitude. When Hermione finally realised she was tracing runes onto Minerva's back, beneath the undershirt she wore beneath her robes that had somehow come undone, and that her hands were heating up in a way that made her want to never stop, she pulled away, breathing hard.
"Dear God, what brought that on?" Minerva panted, looking thoroughly ravished.
"Oh, you are so beautiful."
"Hermione," she chuckled, pulling at her open robes. "What was that?"
"I love you."
"Darling -"
Hermione helped her settle her robes back on her shoulders, though she took the opportunity to press a kiss on her shoulder where the neckline gaped a little.
"I love you because of the way you love." Minerva blinked and held back whatever she had been going to say. "I love you because the way you love is so understated and so beautiful and perfect that those people that feel it have no choice but to fall at your feet."
"Darling," Minerva blushed. "Not that I am not very appreciative of your words, I cannot help but feel that there is no rhyme or reason for this madness."
"Madness?" Hermione laughed. "Fine, I have just come from Charms."
"Hmm," Minerva shrugged as she did her buttons back up most of the way. "Okay."
"Filius pulled me aside, to regale me with tales of your brilliance. And how much he loves you. And how much you have done for them throughout your lives."
"Oh, well, that's lovely," Minerva smiled gently. "And what -"
"He said that he would drop everything for you." She was grinning now. She was grinning so wide that her cheeks were beginning to hurt. Minerva was watching her carefully. "Would do anything; give anything for you."
"Darling will you come to the -"
"Like take on your," she grinned cheekily. "Soulmate, as an apprentice."
Minerva stared at her.
And stared some more.
"Sorry, he did what?"
"He offered me an apprenticeship. A Charms apprenticeship." She beamed now. "Removed, officially, from the student population. Not quite a teacher but," she grinned and did a little shimmy. "Certainly not a student and earning a little bit of money while working towards a Mastery."
Minerva gasped. The full gravity of the news hit her and she pulled Hermione back into her arms and kissed her soundly.
"I cannot believe he would -"
"The way he talked about you?" Hermione grinned. "I can."
"Well, I cannot believe he would not tell me first!"
Hermione laughed as she wrapped her arms around Minerva's shoulders and smiled against her temple. After a few minutes, Minerva brushed some of her hair back and kissed her cheek. She held on right back, going as far as wrapping a leg around her hip. As if Hermione wanted to be anywhere else in the world.
"I am going to have to buy him a very, very, nice bottle of whisky," Minerva mused as they let the news sink in.
"I think, knowing him, he would simply insist you drink it with him."
"That is obviously the plan," Minerva chuckled.
"I'm so happy Min," Hermione whispered. "For the first time in a long time, I feel," she shrugged. "Hopeful."
"That is reason enough to celebrate."
"I feel like I came here to ask you something and I've totally forgotten it. An apprenticeship, Min. Everything we wanted, separately and together. We can -"
"Not yet," Minerva soothed. "But soon."
"But I mean -" Minerva kissed her and she protested but didn't resist.
"You did that on purpose," she laughed.
"Only to make sure you're paying attention. I have -"
"Duty, I know. There really was a reason I came here. I just don't recall what it was!"
"Perhaps it will come to you. Now, I promised the Quidditch team -"
"OH!"
Minerva jumped a little and Hermione apologised with a look.
"I had an idea."
"Oh?" Minerva chuckled. "Another one?"
"Yes. Ron."
"Hmm?"
"So, when Ginny said she wanted to get into Quidditch properly, they bought her a new broom. Not a great one, but a new one."
"I already see where this is going."
"Do you?" Hermione blinked. "Harry seemed to like the idea and he or I could probably do it ourselves, but I figured we'd all chip in a bit and make it a little less weird. I know you bought Harry's first one but it's not quite the same, is it."
"No," Minerva smiled. "But I think the idea is lovely and I will do my part, assuming you have a plan?"
"Harry's going to ask Fred and George."
"Oh," Minerva chuckled. "I do miss them."
"They said they'd be coming to watch the final? We're not going to ask Ginny. I think she does have some money but we felt that was a bit weird. The Twins, at least, are good for it and as much schtick as they give Ron, he's still their little their brother."
"Do you know," Minerva mused quietly. "That for a long time, when you were old enough to start being noticed by people, I rather thought you might end up with Fred, given time."
"Really?" Hermione laughed. "I mean, he's nice and I know they're smart," she shrugged. "I dunno, I don't actually know them all that well, to be honest."
"Well," Minerva whispered. "If ever there's a time -"
She made a noise of protest but Hermione kissed her instead, forcing her to be quiet until she pulled away.
"Don't ever say, imply or feel that again," Hermione whispered hotly. "You and I are going to be very happy and very in love for a very long, very long time. Okay?"
Minerva brushed back her fringe and cupped her cheek.
"Okay."
"Good."
Hermione reached forward and grabbed Minerva's backside. She giggled at the indignant noise Minerva made when she did so and pulled her off the desk.
"I'm just helping," Hermione teased.
"Trouble," Minerva scoffed. "So much bloody trouble."
"So, thoughts about Ron?"
"A lovely idea. I suppose you will want me to do the honours?"
"Would you? I figured you'd be the least conspicuous person to go down Diagon Alley." Hermione suddenly realised how dangerous it was in Wizarding spaces right now. "Oh," she frowned. "No, I don't want you going down there alone." Minerva scoffed, but Hermione was serious. "Min -"
"I will be fine."
"But -"
"I will fire-call the twins and meet them and they can go with me."
"I -" Hermione stared at her. "I don't know what would happen if you suddenly got into trouble a hundred miles away."
"Then we will not test out any theories until we need to, alright?"
"Min -"
"My darling, I need you to listen to me again, hmm?" Hermione grumbled but once Minerva poked her lip, she couldn't help but laugh. "I have been alive for quite a while now. I have fought in a war, a time or two, before. I have had narrow escapes at times; you've seen the evidence," she blushed. "In part. But I was never cavalier. And that was when I didn't have a beautiful young woman to come home to." Hermione's eyes filled with tears. "No, darling, that was supposed to be a happy thought!"
"These are happy tears," Hermione laughed as they ran down her cheeks.
"There will never be a time that I will not do everything in my power to come home to you, alright?"
"Fine," Hermione sniffed. "I believe you."
"Good."
The bells rang out and startled them both.
"That was the shortest session I've ever had," Hermione pouted.
"But look at what we experienced during it."
Hermione pulled Minerva back into her arms and kissed her softly, over and over again.
"I cannot wait to live my life by your side. I cannot wait to meet you here at this desk, grab your marking and take you home for a while." Her voice dropped to a whisper as she felt Michael come into the room. "I cannot wait until we can stay up all night tasting one another until we collapse in each other's arms."
That pretty blush was back on Minerva's face and she stared hard into Hermione's eyes until Hermione smiled and traced her cheek.
"I just want you to remember that I love you. And that you are my happily ever after."
Minerva cleared her throat.
"Well, in that case, we had better finish this year up and make sure we defeat Voldemort because we have plans."
"Oh yes we do," Hermione giggled. "I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
"Or tonight, if I can procure what we need."
"Okay. I love you."
"Oh my darling," Minerva smiled. She kissed her softly and Hermione did the honourable thing and stepped away.
"I cannot wait for our lives, Min."
She turned and left, waving absently to Michael and walking through the castle without a care in the world.
-0-
Minerva popped into existence in a little alley in Muggle London that she had used for the same purpose before. The moment her feet touched the ground, she rolled her shoulder and transformed into her Animagus. She did not intend to be long in it, but she wanted to throw off anyone waiting for her.
Just in case.
It wasn't that she was not prepared, it was only that in times of war, any advantage should be exploited to its fullest. When nothing was forthcoming, she stretched and reformed into the woman where she straightened her clothes and marched towards Diagon Alley.
The pub was quiet, despite the hour and there was a malfeasance in the air that contributed to the feeling. She had not been to Diagon Alley for a long time and she frowned at the changes that had been wrought. Shops were empty along the high street. Scorch marks were present in places, evidence of duels that had not made the papers. She checked her knife and her wand before she stepped out of the Leaky Cauldron and made a quiet beeline for Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.
"Hey there," George smiled as she came in the door. "Glad you found us."
"My boys," she chuckled as they hugged her in stereo. "How are you? Keeping safe?"
"As we can be," Fred muttered, looking out of the door at the street. "It's a bit later than we'd like, McG, but we'll make it work. I asked Gideon to stay open a bit for you, he said that was fine as long as we didn't dawdle."
"Well then, let us go and buy your brother a broom and then perhaps you'll let me take you to dinner in Muggle London." She looked out onto the street. "Away from here, at least.
"You're on," George grinned.
"We could take you out, you know," Fred quipped as he nodded her out and locked and spelled the door closed behind them. "I wouldn't linger," he muttered. "And ignore whatever is going on down Knockturn. They're getting louder and bolder."
"Hmm," she muttered. "I will bring up the rear. Let's go."
They made it down the street without incident and slipped into the shop.
"I am astounded that anyone is still here based on that lot," she muttered as the young man, Gideon, closed the store behind their entry.
"We're not staying much longer," he muttered as he closed the shutters. "They're getting obnoxious. The Ministry insists nothing is going on, but we're here. We see. Dad's taking the stock and going."
"How is your father?" Minerva asked with a smile as she felt a bit safer behind locked doors.
"Doing well, thanks Professor," he chuckled. "Now, Fred told me you were in the market for something?"
"Indeed. Ronald is a Keeper and it is the Quidditch Final next Saturday. He is currently on a pre-owned Cleansweep 10, so anything above that, within reason."
"Oh," he grinned. "I remember that. That was a while ago and it wasn't in perfect condition." She gave him a look and he realised that he should probably not pass judgement so she cleared his throat and nodded. "Okay, let me show you these."
They talked quickly but deeply about the models that Gideon had in stock and finally settled on a Cleansweep 11. It was better than a Comet but not a Nimbus or a Firebolt. Minerva did spend a lot of time staring at the Firebolt, though.
"Can't tempt you, Professor?"
She blushed having been caught. In truth, she was just imagining racing across the fields of their new home.
Or taking Hermione on a quiet ride in the moonlight.
"Not today," she chuckled. "Perhaps when things brighten up a little."
"I bet you were magic," Fred grinned.
"Back in the day," George finished.
"Oh I have missed you both," she chuckled as she squeezed Fred's hand. "Come on, we have kept Gideon too long. Will you have it sent to Hogwarts?"
"Of course," Gideon smiled. "Thank you, Professor, it's good to see you again."
"And you," she smiled. "Give my regards to your father and do take care."
She turned back to her boys and smiled.
"Ready?"
They each apparated away with a quiet pop.