A/N: Alright, alright, I'm here. We're moving back to canon-ish next chapter, I think, so hold onto your socks.

-0-

Featherlight kisses across her shoulder woke her gently and she stretched, feeling content from her toes to her hair. She moaned as soft lips sucked gently on her shoulder.

"Good morning sleepy head," Minerva's gravelly voice muttered in her ear.

"Hey," she managed, rubbing her eyes. "Okay?"

"Indeed," Minerva chuckled. "I have a beautiful woman in my bed again."

Hermione chuckled and rolled, looking at Minerva over her shoulder.

"Why are you so awake?"

"Good genes," Minerva smirked. "It was not as late as it seemed last night but you were out for the count.

"It was odd."

"Not when you take into account the amount of sleep you've likely had over the last three weeks?" Hermione blinked and felt her cheeks heating up.

"Ah," Hermione mused. "Excellent point."

"I have to get up," Minerva sighed. "Which I am loath to do as there is nothing I love more than lying here with you."

I can't say I don't enjoy it as well," Hermione sighed as she pressed back against Minerva's body.

Cool fingers traced over her belly and then her hip. She held it against her and moved out back over her belly.

"You didn't tell me this felt this good," she muttered.

"It is rather, isn't it," Minerva said as she nibbled on the back of Hermione's neck.

Minerva's thumb rubbed back and forth under Hermione's belly button and then smoothed the skin there and hummed against her throat.

"You are so soft," she whispered.

Hermione yawned and stretched again.

"Alright," she said sadly. "You do need to get up."

"One day, mo ghaol," Minerva whispered. "We will not have to get up, we will get to stay here, together for as long as we like."

"I cannot wait for that day, Min."

"I know, my darling. Exams, the end of term and then we're free."

Hermione nodded, knowing that was only partially true, and immediately whined as Minerva moved away. The older woman chuckled as she disappeared into the bathroom. Hermione was not as amused. She huffed as she rolled into her back and stared at the curtains above Minerva's four-poster. She had no idea why she was so out of sorts. It would be easy to put it down to frustration but it wasn't that.

Not really.

Okay, it was a little bit of that, but not completely. She could feel some tension building and she didn't like it.

Minerva exited the bathroom in her underwear, humming while she went over to her wardrobe. Hermione took the opportunity, while Minerva was clearly wrapped up in her head, to observe her love.

She was just ogling the curve of Minerva's backside and the two beautiful dimples on her lower back. She eased forward a little and smoothed her hand over Minerva's ass.

"Och, mac na galla!"

Hermione laughed as Minerva danced away.

"I think I can guess what that means," Hermione chuckled. "I figured you'd forgotten I was here and I saw an opportunity and seized it! Can't say I didn't enjoy the view."

"You bloody menace," Minerva laughed as she knelt on the bed and let Hermione pull her in for another kiss. "I didn't mean to swear at you."

"I did say that I like it when you swear."

Minerva chuckled and nuzzled Hermione's neck while Hermione's fingernails scraped up and down her bare back.

"I need to go," Minerva said apologetically. "Try to go to class this week, okay? But don't overdo it. If you need to sleep, we'll get you caught up before exams."

"Yes dear," Hermione replied, making Minerva laugh again.

"Trouble," she whispered as she kissed Hermione deeply and got up.

"If only everyone knew what Professor McGonagall had on under her robes," Hermione muttered as she watched Minerva dress. "They'd pay a lot better attention in Transfiguration."

Minerva blushed deeply and giggled a little at the thought as she ran her fingers up the front of her robes and the seams pulled together.

"So if I -" Hermione got up and traced the same path down watching as it opened again.

"Trouble!"

Hermione laughed as she stepped back and let Minerva dress. She watched as the woman put on just a little makeup to hide tired eyes and held out Minerva's hat once she was done.

"I love you, you know," Hermione said softly. "Tha ghaol agam ort."

"Oh my darling," Minerva sighed as their heads rested together. They breathed in each other's peace for a while before Minerva pulled away and kissed Hermione's nose.

"Do you have any objection to Filius being our Secret Keeper as well as Ginny?"

"None at all," Hermione smiled. "A good choice."

"I happen to know he has a free double today. I may get him access and he can start putting up some wards?"

"Sounds like a plan," Hermione smiled. "Thank you. Do I need to do anything?" Minerva smiled and cupped her face.

"No, leannan. I'll take care of it."

"I want to be involved," Hermione said softly.

"And you will be; there's plenty to do, alright?"

"Okay," Hermione sighed.

"You are out of sorts, mo ghaol. What can I do?"

"Keep calling me that?" Hermione whispered.

"I shall," Minerva smiled as she kissed Hermione's hair. "Take it steady today, alright?"

"I will. I might Floo to Poppy's again?"

"Certainly. You can tell her if you like?"

"I can?" Hermione blinked. "Are you sure?"

"It is your house as well as mine, sweetheart. Tell our friends," She paused. "The ones we can trust."

Hermione looked at her carefully and smiled sadly.

"We can tell him when we understand what he's doing," Hermione whispered. "It will be alright."

"It will," Minerva nodded. "I am sure of it."

Hermione watched as she took a deep breath and crack her neck. Something settled in her belly and she smiled properly when Mienrva looked up.

"Good. I trust you," she promised.

"Good. Right, I'm off. Have a good day," she paused and met Hermione's eyes. "Mo ghaol."

"And you," Hermione sighed. "I love you."

Minerva winked at her before she raced out of the door. She heard Minerva greet Michael and then the outer door close as she rushed off to breakfast. In contrast, Hermione was definitely not in a hurry, though they had Potions after breakfast. She decided to do as Minerva had suggested and pulled on yesterday's clothes. She greeted Michael as well and Flooed up to Poppy.

"Oh," she blinked as she spun out of the grate and into Poppy's office where she was wrapped around Will. "Sorry," she blushed.

"Nonsense," Will chuckled. "I'm not even here," he grinned. "Good to see you, Hermione."

"And you," she laughed as she banished the soot. He swept her up in a hug and spun her around. "How are you? Keeping well?"

"I am," she chuckled. "I just came to say hello."

"Mhmm," Poppy smirked from behind him. "Spent the night?"

"Yes," she sassed. "But again, not how you think."

William laughed and kissed Poppy once more and then pressed a kiss to Hermione's forehead.

"Good to see you, I can't stay, I need to get back. Love you Pops."

They watched as he left and Hermione turned to regard their friend.

"Pops?"

"Oh be quiet," she blushed.

Hermione laughed and dropped down on the sofa where Poppy joined her. She sighed and Poppy put her arm around her and kissed her hair.

"Alright?"

"Yes, dunno why I feel out of sorts."

"Hormonal? Are you feeling alright?"

"No, and yes," Hermione chuckled. "Just antsy, I guess. Like I can't settle."

"Well," Poppy said gently. "We know how everything is right now."

"Is Draco alright?"

"He is no longer here," Poppy said carefully.

"It wasn't what they made it out to be. Harry told me what happened and while it was bad, it wasn't malicious." She glanced up at Poppy. "If that makes any difference."

"I never thought it was," Poppy said softly. "But between them," she made a face. "Well, it should never come to physical harm."

"I absolutely agree," Hermione nodded. "I have some news."

"Oh?"

"Min and I, we found somewhere to have dinner."

"Oh good, where?"

"Our new house."

"Sorry?"

Hermione laughed at Poppy's look and shrugged.

"We bought a house. We own property now."

"Oh," Poppy blinked. "Well, congratulations!"

"Thanks," Hermione smiled. "After the end of term, we'll do dinner. And we can get the other things out of the way then as well, okay?"

"Minerva put down roots, hmm?" Poppy mused as they sat beside each other.

Hermione wasn't quite sure what to say to that and she looked up at the Medi-witch. Poppy felt her looking and smiled. She cupped Hermione's cheek and kissed her hair as well.

"You must be very special, sweetheart."

"I don't feel special."

"Well," Poppy nodded. "Regardless. She loves you like she's never loved anyone before," she mused. "The last person to suggest buying a house together got laughed out of the castle."

"Maybe we were meant to be," Hermione muttered.

"Of that, I am sure," Poppy grinned. "Now. Have you eaten? What do you need?"

"No, I haven't. I should go and get changed and grab something. I just wanted to stop by and say hi and tell you our news."

"Thank you, darling. If you see Her Majesty, tell her she owes me a drink."

Hermione snorted as she got up and pulled Poppy up as well. They hugged tightly before Poppy nodded her on her way and Hermione trudged over to the Common Room and got ready for her day.

-0-

"Hey," Harry said as he ran up to her later. She was feeling more and more out of sorts and it was frustrating her.

"Hey," she tried to smile, but she wasn't sure that she'd succeeded.

"I got that thing that I had to hide. He wasn't there, which is why I could get in. I don't think it was Tonks on duty though, cos she didn't say anything and she usually does if she sees me."

"Interesting," Hermione muttered. "Anything else?"

"Yeah, I couldn't spend a whole lot of time there but I think I saw what he's working on and it made me think of a similar thing that I'd seen before."

"Huh?"

"I've seen something similar."

"What?" Hermione blinked. "Where?"

"Remember in 2nd year, I went to Diagon Alley with the Weasleys?"

"Vaguely," she huffed. Why couldn't he just come to the point?

"I fell out of the wrong grate," he explained, oblivious to her frustration. "I ended up in a shop called Borgin & Burkes. I've since realised that was the time the Ministry was cracking down on dark Muggle artists l artefacts, which makes sense cos while I was in there, Draco and his Dad came in to discuss something -"

"Harry -"

"Sorry, anyway. There was a cupboard in there that I hid in. It looked really like this one, I think."

"You think?" Hermione blinked.

"Well, I was inside the cupboard."

"Oh God, Harry!"

"I'm here, aren't I," he chuckled. "But it was definitely the right shape. It has a design on the edges, that's what made me look at it."

"So what is it then," Hermione mused.

"Dunno, but I reckon it's that. He's cleared away a bunch of stuff in front of it and everything."

"'K," Hermione nodded. "I'll think about it."

"Alright," he grinned. "You alright? Feel like I haven't seen you since the finals?"

"Yeah," she shrugged. "Actually, wanna meet downstairs later? After dinner?"

"You mean instead of homework?" Harry grinned. "I'm in. The Professors are all acting like we're going to lose the war if we don't study."

Hermione laughed, despite herself and wrapped her arm around him.

"It's true, you know; he's checking grades before taking over." Harry laughed this time and they carried on to class, meeting Ron at the door.

"Meeting downstairs later," she muttered as they went in.

The afternoon dragged for her and she did her best to keep up. It was humbling to suddenly be struggling a little for the correct answer at the time. She was sure she'd pass her exams when they took them but she knew already that this year would not be her greatest.

She took heart that the next year might be easier.

They did the right thing and did as much homework as possible before dinner and enjoyed the camaraderie of the hall before they were dismissed by Minerva. Albus had disappeared to places unknown and she frowned that he hadn't let anyone know. She chalked it up to his normal tomfoolery and tried to focus on her friends.

They trudged down to the Bathroom and into the Chamber, ignoring Myrtle's nonsense about how she thought they'd died.

"So," Ginny grinned as she sat back. "What's been happening?"

"Oh shut up," Hermione chuckled. "You already know."

"What!" Ron protested. "How is that fair?"

"Min told her, not me," Hermione chuckled. "She and I, Minerva, I mean," she laughed. "Have bought a house."

"Whoa," Ron sat back. "That's a bit of alright then!"

"Congratulations, Hermione," Harry smiled.

"Thank you," she said genuinely. "I say we, she bought it and is going to put my name on it for my birthday, I guess."

"Ah," Ginny smiled supportively.

"Yeah," she muttered.

"I don't get it."

"I'm technically not old enough to own a house."

"So?"

"So," Ginny groaned. "That's a weird point for Min. Cos Hermione is so young and Min is -" Hermione felt her eyes flash and Ginny grinned at her. "Is not."

"Good save," Hermione grumbled.

"Surely that's stupid," Ron rolled his eyes. "You act like you're 42 already."

Hermione laughed and threw a cushion at him, but she appreciated him making her feel better.

"Ok, so I guess I'm going to tell you a little bit about everything that's been going on. And some of it will be difficult to hear but we're going to talk about it until we can't talk anymore, okay?"

"You mean me, right?" Harry whispered, looking at her carefully. "Did you know Sirius wrote?"

"I didn't," Hermione conceded. "What did he say?"

"I don't know, I don't understand what he was trying to say. But," he looked at her squarely. "You do."

"I do," she smiled softly, squeezing his hand for just a moment to take the edge off for him. "But not from Sirius."

"Remus has been here?"

"No," she said gently. "Shall we start with that though? Would you prefer to hear it from me, instead of making him spell it out for you?"

In his defence, he did think about it for a long time before he sat back and nodded. Ginny got up and dragged her beanbag over to his and held his hand.

"What is going on?" Ron asked, looking at them all.

"So," she started gently. "I ran into Tonks a few weeks ago. Actually a while ago now, when I realised The Order was here. She said hello and when she did, I didn't have this control over the way I can feel other people's feelings then and I felt all this hurt and upset that I couldn't imagine a person could feel. And while I am going into more detail than she'd probably like, I trust you guys will mind your business and if they decide to announce something you won't be as shocked and you'll just congratulate them, okay?"

"Hermione -"

"Tonks is in love with Remus." She said before Ron could interrupt adequately. "And though I haven't seen him for a while, based on his response to her declaration, he's in love with her."

"Okay," Ginny said quietly. "Where's the catch?"

"Oh!" Harry suddenly said. He stood and grabbed his hair while he looked at her with wide eyes. "OH!"

"Breathe," Hermione said softly. "It's alright."

"What?"

"Sirius is also in love with Remus," she said. "And please know that if this gets out, I will know which one of you did it and I will make my judgement swift and efficient." She looked at them all in turn. "I'm sharing this with you to help you, help them, but you are not to share it with anyone else, alright?" They, all three of them, nodded. "Tonks was upset by the fact that Remus had spurned her, but in a way that was confused rather than angry. I made her aware that Remus was essentially two entities and if she could live with it then perhaps she should allow that to develop as it is."

"What?" Ron blinked.

"That Remus might love both of them, not just one of them."

"Like," Ginny blinked. "The three of them?"

"Yes," Hermione said quietly as she looked at Harry. "The three of them."

"Sirius and," he swallowed. "Tonks?"

"Not necessarily. I realise they're cousins but it isn't our business how it works out, I just wanted to let you know that that is on the table so that you can process it in your own time instead of reacting to overwhelming news when you hear it and potentially hurt feelings without meaning to."

"I would," he whispered. "Wouldn't I?"

"I don't know, what do you feel?"

"Angry."

"Why," Hermione said gently, waving off Ron's attempt to speak.

"Because Sirius should have told me."

"I imagine he's scared," she said gently. "Just like I was scared when I realised that about myself. Just like Min was when she did too."

"That's different," Harry muttered.

"Why," she asked again.

"Because I'm not your godson."

"No, but you are my best friend. Of all the people in the world, I should be able to count on you to love me anyway."

"And I did!" he protested.

"You did," she acknowledged. "But think about Sirius and you, for a moment. Remember on the train to Hogwarts at the beginning of the year? When I told you that he's shit at all this emotional stuff? I implored you to write to him and tell him how you felt, what you felt, all that? I spoke to him during the next Order meeting. I told him he was going to have to get to know you as Harry and not as James' kid. And he has, right? He has done that hard work?"

"Yeah," he shrugged. "I guess."

"But it is a work in progress. You are both of you," she considered her words carefully.

"Broken."

"No, Harry," she shook her head. "Less skilled in that area of life. Because you have both had the upbringings you have. And that is alright. There are plenty of people who are rubbish at other things. But, it is also worth noting that writing something down is infinitely easier than saying it to a face, Harry. But some things should be said face to face. Because they are more important. And it's okay that he isn't ready yet. Even to tell you, his favourite and only Godson. You don't really have room to be angry at him because I've told you before he could. In reality, that's bad form on my part but I know you. I know you need time for this."

Harry sighed and dropped back down into his bean bag and put his face in his hands.

"It's okay to not know how to feel, but don't be angry at him because you don't know how to feel, okay? When we see him, on the holidays, we can tackle it then, okay?"

"Fine," he muttered.

They sat for a long while before Ron suddenly sat up.

"OH!" He almost shouted.

Even Harry laughed as they all watched Ron's ears turn bright red and they fell about laughing - Ron included - which helped ease the sadness that had started to creep in. It was good just to be for a while. She knew something was coming, she could feel it like a heavy hand on her shoulder. More than once, throughout the day, she had turned like there was somebody there but each time there had been no one. She took a deep breath, rolled her shoulders and allowed her feelings free reign as she soaked in the laughter and the happiness of her friends.

Because whatever was coming was heavy and she wanted to cling to every last bit of happiness she could.