A/N: Nothing to report except I adore you all endlessly.

-0-

"My god, you are beautiful."

Minerva snorted, in a very unladylike manner, and turned to see Hermione leaning against the door. She had changed into leggings and a jumper to ward off the chill and honestly, Minerva liked her best like this. It screamed comfort to her and perhaps, in time, Minerva would strike up the courage to perhaps steal one of those oversized jumpers for herself.

"You must need your eyes checking," Minerva chuckled. She could not stop the grin from appearing, though. They had won and she was celebrating.

"The Tower is going to be awake all night," Hermione chuckled as she pushed off the wall.

"Ask me if I care, love."

Hermione laughed, which made Minerva smile. They met in the middle of the room and while Minerva was feeling so very ecstatic, she picked Hermione up and twirled her around.

"We. Won!"

Hermione threw her head back and laughed as Minerva let her down and kissed her solidly.

"I did hear something about that, yes," she chuckled as they parted. "You and Harry are like two peas in a pod. As soon as he got back and realised we had won, he snogged Ginny in front of everyone. Pretty sure he won't be able to lift his arms for two days after three solid punches from the twins and Ron." Minerva chuckled, but she didn't really care to think about Harry and the Weasleys when she finally had Hermione to herself and she was feeling so very good about everything.

"Come," she smiled. "Celebrate with me. Though it will be a damn sight less exciting than the Tower?"

"Well, the boys brought Butterbeer, what are you offering me?"

"Whatever you like," Minerva chuckled. "I'll have the elves bring you something if necessary." Hermione laughed with her and shook her head.

"You've just confirmed that I would definitely rather be here with you," she grinned. "I'm fine with," she glanced over at the little bar that Minerva had near the fire. "Cranberry juice?"

Minerva pecked her lips and went over to pour the drinks. As they sat down again, Minerva rather felt like this was what it was supposed to be like.

"I like this look on you," Hermione chuckled as she nursed her cranberry juice on the opposite side of the sofa. Minerva smiled and made a face so Hermione expounded. "Excited, content?" Hermione shrugged. "It's a nice change from worried."

Minerva snorted and shrugged helplessly.

"We have a lot to worry about most days, my love," she muttered, suddenly lost in her own head. "Is my Quidditch fanaticism something you might be able to live with?" Minerva asked quietly. She recalled one partner, many years ago before she had owned up to herself and demanded better. They had not been able to give it but they were the last that had taken it from her. She wasn't sure why that was something that was on her mind, considering her overflowing happiness.

"You went somewhere sad for a moment there," Hermione's voice whispered. It made Minerva jump that she had moved so close but she rallied quickly and accepted her across her lap.

"I -"

"Every time you apologise for something that you do not need to, I'm going to charge you a Galleon. We'll be financially equal in no time, love."

Minerva laughed and felt the last of the uncomfortable feelings leave her.

"I was reminiscing about someone," she blushed. "A former partner of mine, who did not enjoy Quidditch and insisted that I adjust myself to their preferences."

"Sounds like an arsehole."

"Hermione!" Minerva roared with laughter. They laughed together for a while until it petered out. "Not an arsehole. A poor communicator who wanted someone that fit into a very particular box. I did not fit, but I didn't hate them, not even at the end. They loved me, as they saw me, just not as I was. We tried to change that, but they could not get past it."

"Well then, you shall have to point them out next time we see them."

"What?" Minerva exclaimed. "Whatever for?"

"So I can thank them for making sure that you came to me as forthright as you did," Hermione soothed, tracing Minerva's cheek with her finger. It set off goosebumps down her arm. "Because I think it's rather sexy."

Minerva snorted and tossed back the last of her whisky and shuffled down a little. She smiled when Hermione adjusted and lay atop her with a deep sigh.

"I have grown up around people who were obsessed with Quidditch, Min. On Saturdays, I shall simply pass you a flask of tea and a packet of bacon sandwiches and send you off to watch Ginny with Harry and Ron and the Twins. I will love you all and cheer Ginny on in those big moments, but I shall be tucked up at home, reading through the season. If I was my mother's child, I'd have a roast dinner done by the time you get home but -" Hermione felt some melancholy speaking about her parents openly in so long. "I did not get a chance to learn."

"Do you know who is an exceedingly good cook?" Minerva said gently. Hermione looked at her expectantly. "Pomona. She would teach you if you wanted to know."

"I will need to brush up on my Herbology before I all that," Hermione quipped. "Does Filius like Quidditch?"

"He doesn't not like it. Though I think he would come with us while you both stay home and cook. Poppy would help as well. Will cannot even boil water properly."

"Oh, I see how this is going. We womenfolk shall stay home and cater for the rugged ones."

Minerva laughed and then caught herself. She suddenly felt what Ginny had been saying to her. That they were family. She recalled moments that hadn't made sense in her youth, especially once she'd been spending time at Poppy's house on school holidays and such. The way they'd meet up with various different people and go together to do things. It had been nice, but she had not understood it and as she had grown and formed her own life, she had never realised what that had been, quite so starkly as she did now.

"That's a pretty nice vision, isn't it," Hermione whispered. Her fingers were tracing patterns on her throat and Minerva shuddered as her tongue joined in.

"Hermione," she whispered almost desperately. "I am not sure that tonight is the night to test my resolve. I-" She swallowed. "I do not know whether I would be able to stop and -"

"I know," Hermione sighed. Her breath was hot against Minerva's skin and it hurt her to hear the pain.

"I'm -"

"Galleon," Hermione muttered, nuzzling against that same expanse of skin she had just warmed. "I am not sorry, nor should you be. One day soon we will have those freedoms and in the meantime, I get to be here and sit here feeling how happy you are and just bask in it? Yes please."

"Did you not turn it off?"

"Oh, I absolutely did," she chuckled. But when I'm this close to you, or," Hermione chuckled. "Or perhaps while you are so happy. At this moment I do not care to care. I shall simply enjoy the unbridled joy I can feel."

"Stay with me," Minerva whispered. "Will you?"

"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world," she promised.

They talked quietly about Quidditch and other things. Only happy things, that made Hermione's smile broaden and the warmth in Minerva's chest deepen. They talked long into the morning and finally dozed off, wrapped up together, on the sofa.

-0-

Hermione woke with a mouthful of hair and she winced as she tried to untangle herself from whatever had a hold of her. It only took her a few minutes to realise that she was wrapped around Minerva tightly with her face pressed against her neck. She relaxed and settled back down again.

"Bad dreams?" Minerva whispered, sleep roughening her voice.

"A mouthful of your hair," Hermione chuckled, moving that same hair from her face and kissing the skin Minerva had on offer.

"Oh, sorry, I can -"

"That's two Galleons at least," Hermione giggled. "See, I'm working up to you nicely."

Minerva laughed and pressed back closer against Hermione's front and Hermione welcomed it, tightening her arms around her and breathing her in.

"Do you have plans today? Marking, etc?"

"I will have you know that I have done all of my marking already!" Hermione made a noise of astonishment and let Minerva turn, though she remained in her arms. "I am as free as a bird, today."

"I wish we weren't in a war that nobody knew about," Hermione mused. "I'd like to spend the day somewhere with you. I always feel that this sunshine demands us to enjoy it."

"Who says we cannot?"

"There's a war on, you know."

"I had heard, but not the Muggle world."

"Min," Hermione sighed. "They're everywhere. You know that."

"The one thing I have learned from my extensive time at war; we cannot allow it to stop us from doing the things we love. If you want to spend the day outside the castle, we shall. Albus wouldn't dare say anything about it, and we have the time and ability to do that."

"And here? What happens if something goes wrong?"

"We can be back here within ten minutes," Minerva soothed. "Filius will be able to reach me, and you," she chuckled. "If something went wrong with any of them, you would probably know before anyone else, no?"

"Likely," Hermione mumbled.

"Well then, what would you like to do today?"

"Something, with you, away from here." She grinned as the memories of their last outing came to bear. "Perhaps with fewer dragons though."

Minerva laughed and pulled Hermione on top of her and kissed her softly.

"A muggle day, perhaps? Somewhere away from the major centres?"

"I really would like that?"

"Then that, we shall do. Oxford?"

Hermione made a face. She didn't want to go back home.

"Ever been to York?"

"Many times," Minerva beamed. "Shall we?"

"Yes please."

"Alright, you want something to wear or are you going back to get changed? Not that I don't enjoy seeing you like this."

That was news to Hermione and she arched just a little as Minerva's cool hands soothed up her thigh and under the oversized jumper onto her back. Hermione leaned up on her hands and watched Minerva's pupils darken. Hermione realised this was the exact position they'd been in after their duel and grinned wickedly.

"Not much different today," she whispered as she rested down on Minerva's body. Minerva's free hand went straight into her hair and they kissed hotly.

"Wicked woman," Minerva chuckled as they parted.

"I do love that look on your face though," Hermione smirked. "Hot hunger, I think, is what they describe it as."

Minerva laughed and kissed her lips quickly before pressing on Hermione's shoulder.

"Now, you go and change, I will as well and we shall reconvene here in," she shifted and looked over her shoulder at the mantle. "Half an hour?"

Hermione didn't answer right away, she was too busy suddenly noticing something that she hadn't before. She had long ago come to the understanding that Minerva was much older than her. They'd definitely been over that repeatedly, but here, there was a difference in movement. Minerva was in great shape, she knew that for a fact, but there was also the inescapable fact that Minerva's body could no longer do certain things and as she watched the woman contort herself off the edge of the sofa and twist her head as far as she did in order to look at the clock, she realised that Minerva had been moving much more freely of late.

Their most recent duel was definitely evidence of that. Hermione had been so busy fighting that she hadn't really paid attention until now. Minerva had moved with a speed and grace that she had not the first few times they had duelled.

"Darling?"

"Oh," Hermione shook herself and pushed that thought to the back of her mind. "Sorry, what did you say?"

"Are you -"

"No, I was just thinking about something," she smiled. "Nothing major. What did you say?"

"Half an hour?"

"Yes, here?"

"Yes."

"Awesome, okay," she grinned, not allowing Minerva to see any of the thoughts within the maelstrom in her head. "I'll be right back, okay?"

"Certainly."

She kissed Minerva one final time and got up, pulling Minerva up. She crashed into Hermione's body with an oomph and Hermione laughed.

"I got you," she giggled. "Sorry."

"I never mind being in your arms, mo leannan."

Hermione blinked and watched Minerva's cheeks get a tinge of blush on them.

"Your secret is safe with me," Hermione whispered against her ear as she hugged her. "See you in a bit."

She left Minerva's rooms and walked purposefully up to the Tower.

"They were up until five," the Tower guardian grumbled. "Don't they know I need my beauty sleep."

"Well, I think you look lovely," Hermione muttered as she nodded to go in. The woman preened a little but swung open all the same and Hermione chuckled as she came in.

Their party had clearly been fierce and she spied Ginny and Harry curled up together on the sofa. She went and dressed and came back down and shook Ginny's shoulder gently.

"S'early," Ginny complained.

"It's nearly nine," Hermione whispered as she crouched beside her. "I need someone to know that you-know-who and I are going out," she whispered. Ginny blinked her eyes open more than a crack and spent a moment taking in the whisper and then nodded. "If you need me, use the DA coin, okay?"

"You got it?"

Hermione pulled out the coin in her pocket and showed her.

"Rest," Hermione whispered, leaning over and kissing her forehead. "You did good yesterday. Let them spoil you for a while."

Ginny snorted and squeezed Hermione's hand.

"I know we've talked about it a bit before, but you're not -"

"I've known for what feels like a hundred years," Hermione chuckled. "I just have more tact than other people." Ginny blushed but giggled. "I'll see you later. Filius will probably be up here at some point."

"Got it," Ginny stretched. "Hide the Twins."

Hermione looked over and saw them passed out in front of the fire top to tail and snorted.

"Yeah, just throw a rug over them or something."

Ginny snorted and nodded and Hermione matched it.

"See you later."

"Bye."

She left and quietly gave the Fat Lady instructions if it was necessary. The walk back down to Minerva's was nice. The morning after something exciting like a Quidditch final always felt like the Castle was waking up on Boxing Day. Nobody was really sure what day it was and the exhaustion felt good. She was still smiling when she was let in by Michael, who had a red scarf wrapped around the hilt of his sword.

"Don't ask," he mumbled.

She was still chuckling when she entered the living room and saw it empty. She considered sitting for a moment but then decided that seeing as their duel had ended in the way that it did, and they'd, at this point, shared more than one bath together, Minerva may not mind if she went and sat with her while she dressed.

She did knock on the bedroom door, though. She wasn't stupid.

"Oh, you were quick," Minerva muttered as she opened it.

"I wondered if you wanted company," Hermione asked carefully from outside the room.

Minerva was standing behind the door and she took a big breath before she nodded. Hermione stepped over the threshold and She was wearing black trousers, still undone, and no shirt. Her bra was not lacy or what the general public would call sexy but it was a beautiful dark blue, which seemed to make Minerva's skin glow.

"You are beautiful," Hermione whispered as she passed by to sit on the bed. "Now, I don't know the weather in York, so I bought a jacket. What were you planning on wearing?"

She lay back on the bed and stared at the curtains above while she watched out of the corner of her eye as Minerva gathered herself.

"Um," she cleared her throat in a very un-Minerva-like way. "I was just on my way to deciding," she managed. "Your thoughts, perhaps?"

Hermione looked over at her finally and smiled.

"You know you're safe with me, right?" she said softly. "From everything."

Minerva sighed.

"Och, mo leannan. I do. It is the thoughts up here that are warring." She rubbed her head and Hermione chuckled. It had been a while since she'd done that.

"Battles hard won," she muttered as she sat up, took Minerva's hand and kissed her palm. "Let me quiet them," Hermione whispered as she got up.

She stood in front of Minerva and looked into her eyes.

"I love you, Minerva McGonagall. I love you for your mind, your soul and your heart. I appreciate, and covet, and delight in the body those things are wrapped in. I cannot wait to explore it with you."

It turned out that when Minerva blushed, she blushed all the way down her chest as well and Hermione couldn't help but appreciate Minerva being taller than her and pressed a hot, full, kiss on the warm skin.

"Breathe," Hermione reminded her. "I think you are the most beautiful woman in the world, because you are you, and you are mine."

Minerva pulled Hermione into her and held on for a long time before stepping back and wiping her eyes as quickly as possible. Hermione didn't draw attention to it and stepped back as well, but kept hold of her hands.

"Come on, let's get dressed and go for tea. There must be somewhere worth going to in such a city."

Minerva shook her head and pulled Hermione over to her wardrobe and showed her the choices she had settled on.

"I like this one and this one, this is not my favourite, but I think it would look pretty on you."

"If it is not your favourite - "

"I get to see less of you," Hermione chuckled. "But I suppose you can always roll the sleeves up like some debonair, sullen, sexy hero from one of Molly's bodice-rippers that she pretends not to own."

Minerva roared with laughed and pulled it off the hanger. She slid the long-sleeved shirt up over her shoulders and Hermione helped her button it up, purposefully leaving one button less than she knew Minerva would have done. Their eyes met and Hermione smiled in challenge, so Minerva left it. She did, however, roll her sleeves up and cracked her neck as she turned to check her reflection.

"You look hot," Hermione whispered over her shoulder as they stared at their reflections.

"We make a rather striking couple," Minerva said, obviously trying to avoid paying any attention to Hermione's comment.

"Hot," Hermione whispered with a chuckle.

"Well," Minerva swallowed. Their eyes met in the mirror and Hermione's fingertips slipped through the gaps in the shirt to tease bare skin. "Under your gaze, mo leannan, I feel it."

"Now you know how I feel," Hermione breathed as she kissed her shoulder where the collar was gaping and ran her hand over Minerva's stomach as she pulled away. "Let's go. I want to buy you lunch. Well," she said as she stepped back. "You owe me at least 3 Galleons so you'll be buying but it'll be from me."

"Three? I thought I was up to two?" Minerva protested.

"Inflation," Hermione called over her shoulder. She sauntered out of the bedroom and grinned up at Michael as they heard Minerva laugh.

"Ye'r definitely a witch," he chuckled as she checked she had everything.

"I'm a whole lot more than that, now, aren't I."

He chuckled but nodded.

"Keep an eye on things, will you?"

"Obviously," he chuckled. "I di' hear tell that young Harry stashed somat in the Room of Requirement? After the young Malfoy boy got 'urt?"

"Oh balls," Hermione groaned. "Yep, I forgot. I'll have him get it, or I will."

"Get what?"

"Harry's knife. It's in the Room of Requirement."

"Oh," Minerva blinked. "Do you want to -"

"I might try, do you mind?"

"No," Minerva said carefully. "Perhaps I will even come with you."

"Really?"

"Hmm."

"What if -"

"The shape-shifter one is on duty," Michael added helpfully. "Knocked over a suit of armour earlier."

Minerva snorted while Hermione smiled and she checked again that Minerva didn't care.

"If he's not in there, we'll get it, if he is, we'll get it another day."

"Fine," Minerva said, settling her wand in her wrist holster and running her hand around her belt to check her knife.

"Show me that," Hermione said before they left.

"What?"

"The spell over your knife."

"Oh," she muttered. "Not on the knife. On the belt itself. It's just your standard Notice-Me-Not," she muttered as she turned. "If I do this -" She stuck her hands over the belt on either side of the knife Hermione blinked as it shimmered a little and came into view. "The spell on the belt obfuscates it enough that it is unnoticed, even if it is not hidden."

"You're a bloody genius, aren't you," Hermione huffed as she ran her hand over the belt and then, cheekily, Minerva's ass. The woman jerked forward and spun around with a scowl.

"Trouble!"

"Mhmm," Hermione laughed. "Come on, let's go."

Minerva pushed her gently out of the door and locked up behind her. Hermione's hands were jammed in her pocket to prevent herself from reaching out to tangle their hands together. She glanced over and blinked as Minerva pulled an old flat cap out of her pocket and pulled it onto her head.

"Hold on, where the hell did that come from!"

"It's helpful to remain unnoticed without having to transfigure anything."

"My god, you're even sexy in that," Hermione huffed. "Effortlessly."

"Hmm," Minerva preened as they walked. "Good."

They were still chuckling as they climbed the steps to the Sixth floor.

"Wotcha," Tonks smiled as she came into view. "He's just gone in if you were trying to catch him."

"Bollocks," Hermione groaned. "No need, we were just checking. Any news?"

"No," she shrugged. "Though," she glanced at Minerva but ploughed on regardless. "News of other things?"

"Oh?" Hermione asked, leaning a little on Minerva, whose hand was low on her back while they were against the wall. "News of homefronts?"

"Yes," Tonks grinned. "Good news," she made a face. "Hopeful news."

"Then I am happy for you," Hermione grinned as she stepped forward to hug her. "We're going out. Ginny Weasley can get a hold of me if necessary, Filius likewise for Min."

"We can be back in ten minutes if necessary," Minerva said quietly. "Just let us know."

"Enjoy your day," Tonks smiled as they turned to go.

Minerva was quiet for a long time before she looked over at Hermione.

"I'll tell you once we're out of the castle, okay?"

"Certainly," Minerva nodded. "Onward then."

Once they'd left the gates, they stood together looking up at the old castle.

"She really is magnificent."

"She really is," Hermione muttered, looking at Minerva, instead.

"You need your eyes checked again," Minerva said again with a laugh. "Come on then let us be off. Do you know where you are going, or would you rather me take you?"

"Take me," Hermione whispered in her ear.

"Hermione," Minerva groaned, even as she turned.

Hermione discovered she didn't feel so sick if she was laughing when she apparated.