A/N: We're getting close to what I assume you're all waiting for :P But then there's like a whole rest of a story to get through so keep with me, okay? Lol Thank you!

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Minerva had crawled into bed around midnight and Hermione had woken up only enough to pull her into her arms and kiss her neck before she fell right back to sleep. When she woke in the morning, however, Minerva had already left. She sighed and stared at the ceiling while she wished the woman would slow down a bit before she got up.

Draco was sitting by the fire, curled up under a blanket, cradling a cup of tea and Severus was writing something at the table with his hair over his eyes and his quill scratching quickly.

"Hi," she said softly, not wanting to startle either of them.

"Hermione," Severus said in his usual, perfunctory manner. "Albus returns today, he is holding a staff meeting at two."

"I'll get the details later, thank you," she smiled. "Also, please don't think you are confined to here by me -"

"I do not have anywhere else to go," he muttered. "I also," he looked around, mid-quill stroke. "Quite like it down here. It is free from distractions."

"Then you are most welcome to utilise it to no end."

He nodded and went back to whatever he was writing. Draco hadn't moved and she sat in front of him and waited while he came out of whatever thought he was lost in.

"Oh," he said as he got up. "Sorry, did I -"

"It's alright," she said gently. "Don't get up, you're fine where you are."

"I didn't want to -"

"There's nobody here but us, Draco, it's alright."

"I was just -" He fell silent and looked down at his cup. He put it down with a shake of his head and curled back up, under the blankets. "I am afraid for my mother."

"I -"

"Your mother is a formidable witch," Severus said quietly. "She is not helpless."

"I do know that, Uncle Sev," Draco sighed. Hermione looked up at Severus with a smile and watched as his cheeks turned a little pink. "I just, it's Him, you know?"

"I do," he said kindly. "But Narcissa can handle her own."

"What if he makes her take the mark?"

"He will not."

"Why?"

"Because your Aunt will not allow it."

"Huh," Hermione said, unable to help it. "That's -"

"Bellatrix is unhinged, that is for sure. But if there is one thing that has remained after her mind was broken, it is her need to protect her youngest sister. She will not allow Narcissa to come to harm if she is around."

"They were close?"

"Really close," Draco confirmed. "And Aunt Andy, I think. Mum didn't talk much about her."

"I know your cousin quite well," Hermione smiled. "Perhaps, after, you might like to meet her?"

"Yeah," Draco smiled. "I think so."

"Good. Now," she sat forward. "I don't actually know what Albus has planned but it can only be good news for us if he's coming back today. So I want to get the jump on what he might need to get your Mum out, okay?"

"I'll do anything -"

"It's alright, if I have to go in there myself and get her, I will. That was my promise to you and I intend to keep it, alright?"

"What do you need?"

"You sent her the letters?"

"Yes," he nodded. "No reply yet."

"I will take my leave," Severus said formally. He bowed and summoned his parchments and left without another word.

"He's a good guy, really. He's always been kind to me."

"I'm glad," Hermione said simply. "I'm not as concerned about a reply yet as I would be in a week. She would have to figure out the code and then commit it to memory and burn the letters. That will be easy but time-consuming so I am not worried just yet. We do, however, need to get ourselves ready for any mission we make to try and get her out. And I want to know exactly what we're walking into before we do it, so you and I, we're going to make a map of Malfoy Manor."

"Oh!" Draco smiled. "Absolutely."

"I want you to start with the grounds," she said quietly. They moved to the table and Hermione grabbed as much parchment as she could. They set it out in sheets across the length and Draco got to work.

"I guess I'll start at the South Wall?"

"Whatever you need," she nodded. "Just do what you can. I don't doubt we'll have to do it a few times to get it perfect, but that's no bother, alright? If we need more parchment, we'll get it."

"'Kay," he muttered but he was already drawing.

Minerva disturbed them as they were pouring over Draco's internal struggle about whether the West Wing's third bedroom door was on the left or the right.

"Is there another bedroom?"

"Yes," he sighed. "Three."

"Blimey, mate," Hermione laughed. "I guess we'll just have to make both doors and question mark the rest?"

"What is going on here then?"

"Oh!" Hermione smiled as Minerva's hand pressed against the small of her back. "Hi!"

"Hello," she said indulgently. "Draco."

"Professor," he smiled. "Did you, um, have a good day?"

"Good is a very strong word," she chuckled and Hermione was glad of it. "I had a passable day. And that is about the best we can make of it at the moment."

"Anything happen?"

"Just endless letters and reports to be written. I am quite sick of it."

"We have a little more to do before we can stop. Wanna -"

"I shall amuse myself," Minerva said easily. "Don't stop on my account."

She wandered off and closed the door to their room without another word and Hermione was left with Draco looking as if he wanted to ask, but he was also afraid to.

"If you can keep it civil, I will answer," she chuckled.

"Oh, I would never -" He paled. "No, I wouldn't."

"Then ask away."

"I wasn't," Draco shook his head. "I was just, actually, going to say that while I don't know either of you, hardly at all I reckon? I think it works, you know?" He grinned. "I mean, I know you're a swot, but dating a teacher is like -"

She laughed and laughed. They were still chuckling as Severus came down and went immediately to his rooms, followed by Albus.

"Oh, there you are, Hermione. Draco."

"Good evening, sir."

"Might I have a moment with Miss Granger?"

"We have two more rooms to go on the second floor, Albus," Hermione revealed. "I'll be done in about ten minutes."

"Ah," Albus nodded. "Then I shall have a cup of tea, I think. I feel as though I have not had one in years." He called a House Elf and ordered some tea which he poured before turning back to them. "I'm sorry, did I ask what you were doing?"

"We're drawing a map of Malfoy Manor so we won't get lost."

He paused with his cup midway to his mouth and blinked.

"What a fantastic idea," he nodded. "Excellent. Can I help in any way?"

"I don't think so," Draco muttered as he finished the sitting area with a flourish. We have the grounds and the first and second floors done. The third floor will be the worst. I didn't often go up there."

"As long as you can give us a general layout, I'm sure we will be alright."

As soon as he'd put his quill down, he yawned widely. She smiled and squeezed his hand to help him on his way.

"Go and rest. It is enough for today. Make sure you eat something."

"'Night," he mumbled as he went away.

"How are you?" Hermione asked when they were alone.

"Troubled," he muttered. "There's been no news. And while I could suggest that that would be good news, I am not so convinced."

"What about the Ministry?"

"All quiet for now. There are new elections in a month or so, I predict that the majority of the players will be inserted then."

"We need to get Narcissa."

"I know," he nodded. "I have asked Alastor to round up the Order and clear them as soon as he can. We shall plan to attack in the week following. I am due back for a Wizengamot Hearing that I have been informed I cannot miss."

"Two weeks?" She groaned. "You think it's wise for you to go back to the Ministry?" She muttered. "They expected you dead."

"It cannot be helped. With the Ministry in flux, we cannot be seen moving on any targets of importance until that settles. I believe my presence is a show of normality."

"The minute something feels off, leave, okay?"

"I will," he sighed. He did smile at her as he straightened his beard.

"Severus thinks she'll be okay, but what if she isn't, Al? She's unbranded, as it were. They're not going to let her wander around without a Mark?"

"Then we shall hope that whatever you did to him, has incapacitated him for a while and while he recuperates, we are fine."

"I don't like that plan, Albus."

"I do not like it any more than you, my dear." He looked around. "Where is Minerva?"

"Burning the candle at both ends," she mused. "Your paperwork, and hers, is proving to be a lot to cope with."

"I am sorry that it is necessary."

"As am I," Hermione groaned. "Have you spoken to Sirius or Remus?"

"Not since the day before yesterday. No news on the locket."

"I went to see them yesterday, I dropped Harry off. I don't know how much he tells you but he has accepted his wolf and we met," she chuckled. "Officially as new people. We have agreed to help each other, even though both of us were fighting it."

"That is good news."

"There's more but it isn't any of our business, but know that if they decide to do something that doesn't make sense to you? Just leave them to it?"

"Them?"

"Yeah," she smiled. "The three of them. Remus, Sirius and Tonks."

He blinked.

"Goodness gracious, there is something bright in all this darkness. Well," he groaned as he got up. "I do not know what we are doing now, Hermione, but it has been that way for a while. Let us have the map complete as soon as possible so that I can move the timeline up, if I need to."

"I will endeavour to do so," she smiled. "We have devised a way to contact Mrs Malfoy so she at least knows her son is fine and also, that she knows we are coming."

"You think that wise?" he asked.

"I do," she smiled. "As she can get the books out of the library to bring with her."

He chuckled and for the first time in an extremely long time, his eyes twinkled behind his half-moon spectacles.

"I will take as much paperwork from Minerva as she will let me." He made a face. "Though tomorrow, I must travel before the hearing."

"More alliances?"

"I do not have much hope, but I must try."

"Then we will just see you when you return. She is fine, only tired. But then, we all are."

He bowed his head a little and left her to it.

Hermione stood and stretched. She felt restless and so very sick of being cooped up in one place. She wandered into their rooms and paused when she couldn't see Minerva.

"In here, Leannan."

Hermione followed her voice behind the bed and through a door in the wall.

"Whoa," she blinked at the lavish bathroom. "This wasn't here before, was it? Did you do this?"

"No," she chuckled. "Bathrooms require a form of magic that I do not know."

"You, not know magic?" She made a face. "Nonsense."

Minerva splashed her and she laughed as she jumped out of the way.

"As far as I am aware, Albus requested the castle make it more hospitable as our guest list grew. It has been adding little things since then, I think."

"Well," Hermione grinned. "You got room for one more body in there?"

Minerva laughed and pushed off the wall in the huge bathtub. It was more like a small swimming pool but Hermione didn't pay too much attention beyond that. Her eyes strayed to the swell that was just visible above the water line.

She stripped off with her eyes fixed on Minerva's the whole time.

"You can look," Hermione whispered as she slid into the hot water. "Oh," she groaned. "Good idea."

"I daren't look," Minerva whispered as she pressed against her back and kissed her shoulder. "Merlin knows I won't be able to help myself."

Hermione grinned as she turned around and kissed her hard. Minerva's hands mapped her face, then slid into her hair. Hermione growled darkly as long legs wrapped around her hips.

"Easy," she muttered as she pulled away. "Easy, Min."

"Oh, I will be so glad when this interminable week ends," she groaned. She nibbled Hermione's earlobe. "I am sick of waiting."

"Me too," Hermione promised.

They let their foreheads rest against each other softly and breathed for a while before Hermione kissed Minerva's nose and moved away.

"Can you keep a secret?" She teased as she dipped her hair in the water.

"What kin'a question i' tha' Leannan."

"Ooh, you are tired," Hermione chuckled as she righted herself. "Come 'ere, let me wash your hair."

"You don't -"

"Come hither," Hermione ordered.

Minerva grinned and dropped under the water, only to pop up in front of Hermione, dripping water from her eyelashes and pale skin.

"God you are so beautiful," Hermione sighed. She cupped Minerva's face and kissed her gently before she spun her around in the water.

"I dropped Harry off at Grimmauld Place."

"Oh, how was it?"

"Well, Remus has finally accepted that he is, inescapably, a werewolf."

"That's something," Minerva asked as Hermione made sure her hair was thoroughly wet. "What of it?"

"He's got a nice little pack developing." Hermione chuckled at the memory. "I hadn't had the thought until I was actually in the house but I could smell him. And then he smelled me."

"He didn't hurt you?"

"You believe he could?" Hermione chuckled as she leaned on her shoulder. "No. He grabbed Harry and pulled him away from me while we figured it out. Tonks had told them that there was a dragon involved, but she hadn't told them who it was." Hermione lathered up the shampoo in Minerva's hair, massaging her scalp and trying not to giggle at how Minerva was almost purring. "There was a bit of a tense moment when he was about to throw me out and I couldn't quite work out why he was so protective. Then Tonks walked in."

"Oh?"

"They're pregnant," Hermione chuckled.

Minerva spluttered and turned, getting shampoo in her eye.

"Bloody hell," she grumbled as she dunked under the water. "What do you mean, they are pregnant! I mean, do they know -" she paled. "I mean -"

"That's none of our business," Hermione smiled gently.

Minerva's shoulders dropped as she understood.

"You're right. And I am letting my preconceived notions get in the way again." She stopped Hermione's hands as she started a second shampoo and turned. "Are they happy?"

"I have never seen Sirius smile so much. And Remus, though definitely figuring out his wolf on a day-to-day basis, is so relaxed. It's great to see."

"Sirius?" Minerva questioned. "Is happy?"

"Grimmauld Place is like you've never seen it. The curtains have all been taken down, there's light, air. I believe they're contemplating putting a hammer through Mrs Black."

Minerva snorted and let Hermione continue. She washed a second time and then Hermione spent endless moments conditioning the long hair, running her fingers through almost the individual strands until she twisted it up on top of Minerva's head and stuck it down with a charm.

"I love you," she whispered as she pulled Minerva's body into her arms.

"Oh, Leannan," Minerva sighed. "I love you more than I can accurately convey."

"We'll just feel it then," Hermione mumbled as she kissed Minerva's alabaster shoulders. "You are so very white," she chuckled as she realised.

"I'll have yeh know," Minerva huffed at the cheek. "That ah am in my robe from sunup to sundown e'ry day of the year." She crossed her arms under her chest. "That's if the blasted sun deigns to come out more'n twice a year."

Hermione chuckled and traced a lone finger over Minerva's cleavage where she'd pushed it up.

"Darling -"

"Sorry," Hermione whispered. She wrapped her arms around Minerva's middle and let her slide their fingers together. "Couldn't help it."

Minerva snorted and they lay back together in the hot water for a long while.

"Ahm to sleep if ah stay 'ere much longer."

"Let me rinse your hair," Hermione whispered. She had felt Minerva napping in her arms and had let it go on for as long as possible. Their water hadn't cooled at all and Hermione made a mental note to get whatever magic this was in their bathroom at the house.

Minerva shifted off her knee and Hermione helped her rinse out her hair.

"It's so pretty, Min."

"We hasnae brushed it yet."

"You keep sleeping, I have you."

Minerva snorted and managed to wake up enough to get out of the bath and Hermione allowed her eyes to roam and felt every ounce of her self-control engage. She watched a lone water droplet meander its way from Minerva's shoulder, following the ridges in her skin where her scars made up the landscape and down over her breasts and flat stomach.

"Good god, woman," Hermione huffed as she finally looked away and got out. She shook her head as she wrapped a towel around herself.

Minerva looked up and realised that she was being watched and blushed deeply. Hermione threw a second towel at her and pushed her into the bedroom where she summoned their pyjamas and let Minerva put them on herself before she sat her down.

"A brush out and a plait?"

"Please," Minerva mumbled. She was losing the battle with sleep so Hermione did her best to hurry.

In no time at all, she had brushed out the long hair and plaited it down her back, doing her best to dry it without actually spelling it dry. She made a note to herself to ask what Minerva usually did and then frogmarched Minerva to the bed.

"Her'ione," Minerva whined as she tucked her in.

"I'm right here," Hermione chuckled.

"Need you."

"You are so cute when you're sleepy."

Minerva was just about awake enough to huff at her as she rolled over and buried herself in Hermione's arms. The younger woman was still chuckling when a leg was thrown over her hip.

"I'm here, love. Tha ghaol agam ort."

"Love you," Minerva mumbled against her neck, where her nose was pressed.

Hermione spent a long time stroking her fingers over Minerva's shoulder or then, as she settled, her head. Her brain spun endlessly from everything she'd been coping with but eventually, she also lost the battle with sleep. She snuggled up to her love and passed into oblivion.