A/N: I'm writing this before the end of the England Spain game and I'm uncomfortable with the score at half time. We do have a whole half to go yet, though and I believe in the power of Sarina.
(Post Script: That was incredibly disappointing and I'm sad now)

I'm fine. Totally fine.

Similarly, our lovely ladies would not be my version of them without a bit of difficult conversation and Minerva's ever-present, deep-seated, fears and a little time to work through them. So hey ho, off we go.

-0-

Minerva woke slowly but immediately felt content. Her body was sore but not painful and she sighed happily in the warmth and comfort that she found in their bed. That was a feeling all on its own and she tried to stretch but found she couldn't. There was a weight on her back and she closed her eyes again as she realised she was under Hermione's body, almost completely.

Hermione hummed and nuzzled the back of Minerva's neck.

Morning, babe.

Minerva laughed and reached behind her to pinch Hermione's backside.

"Trouble," she muttered out loud. "Good morning, Leannan."

"Morning, beautiful," Hermione whispered.

"Is it morning?" She blinked and looked around but couldn't tell.

"Honestly, I have no idea," Hermione muttered. Minerva decided it didn't matter even as Hermione echoed her sentiments "I care even less."

"Are you alright, love?" Minerva asked softly. "Are you hurting?"

"Yes and no," Hermione said. Minerva immediately knew she wasn't being completely truthful and she tapped Hermione's hip and rolled once she was free to do so. She lay facing her love and now she could see, there was a pull on her face that wasn't pleasant.

"Mo gaol, don't lie to me. What hurts?"

"I'm not lying, not really," Hermione blushed. "I am fine. I'm just a little sore, in -" She blushed. "Places."

"I am too," Minerva revealed. "It has been quite a long time for me. And we were -" Minerva felt herself blush now. "Rather enthusiastic."

Hermione laughed and shuffled forward. Minerva welcomed her into her arms and breathed her in.

"I knew you were not being entirely truthful," Minerva revealed. "I knew it as sure as anything."

"Handy," Hermione groaned. "Although there goes all my surprise Valentine's Day gifts."

Minerva snorted and instead ran her hands over Hermione's messy hair while they lay quietly.

"I feel quite irked, my love. I had such plans to ensure you were alright and introduce you to this slowly and then you," she smiled at the memory. "Shook me to my very core." Hermione blushed and Minerva traced her face. "Are you really alright? I know this is new for you." She kissed Hermione's nose and chuckled as she scrunched it up. "I am prepared for a discussion, if need be."

"It doesn't feel too different, actually," Hermione whispered. "Aside from the obvious but, in myself." She sighed and settled on her chest while Minerva kissed her hair. It was like she couldn't help but put her lips on Hermione's skin now that she could. "I expected something to feel different."

"I hope not disappointed?" Minerva muttered, almost wishing that Hermione wouldn't hear. She did though and popped her head up to look.

"No!" She blinked. "God, Min, no. You were -" She grasped for a word. "Incredible, amazing." She blushed further. "Delicious, stunning -" Minerva felt herself blush now and they giggled as they both realised. "I just mean, I dunno, I think everyone builds it up and then afterwards it's just," she shrugged. "You feel the same as you did before. But then," she sighed. "You also don't."

"Ah," Minerva nodded. "Yes, I see. And you are correct, that is often the case." Hermione pressed her face closer and slid her leg between Minerva's. She cupped Hermione's face and looked into her eyes.

I can feel you are discontent.

"I'm not," Hermione chuckled. She traced something on Minerva's neck that made her shiver. "Just processing."

"I can feel you, Leannan."

"You can," Hermione mused. "But you're not very good at reading me yet. Give yourself a little longer and it will be easier."

Minerva blinked as she concentrated and tried not to feel affronted.

"I -"

She realised, rather annoyingly, that Hermione was right and she hummed in frustration.

Hermione sighed and rolled onto her back. Minerva let her go and leaned up on her hand to watch. Now that she'd said it out loud, she really could feel the maelstrom of emotions emanating from Hermione. And, in fact, Hermione was correct. It did not actually feel like discontentment. Just an overwhelming cacophony of emotion.

"Remember," Hermione whispered. "That I am allowed to feel what I'm feeling. And I promise," she said gently. "That it will get easier to separate the layers."

Minerva paused. It was subtle but, yes, there were definitely layers to what she was feeling. She was also being horrifically unfair. She tutted at herself and curled around Hermione. She settled with her head on her lover's chest and wrapped her arm around her middle while she slid her leg over her thighs.

"Cuddle monster," Hermione teased.

Minerva snorted and placed a kiss on her shoulder as she realised Hermione was right. She had never been into cuddles, as such and here she was, wrapped around her love like a limpet.

"I am being unfair," Minerva admitted. "I'm sorry."

"You aren't, it's fine," Hermione whispered. "I don't really know what I'm feeling right now. I'm not surprised you can't tell either."

"That is okay that you don't know," Minerva agreed. "Can I help in any way?"

"Just hold me?"

Minerva held her tighter and just as a thought popped into her head, Hermione spoke.

"No," Hermione insisted. She cupped Minerva's chin and lifted her face so their eyes could meet. "I don't regret a thing. I think I am just processing everything that we are now," she smiled and Minerva's heart thumped happily, which made Hermione smile wider. "We are bound together, completely, remember? It is a lot to take in. It's like I can feel the weight of it - on my body and in my mind."

Minerva spent some time thinking about that and realised Hermione was right. She felt Hermione relax and glanced up to see her eyes closing almost against her will. She reached up carefully and smoothed out the frown on her forehead and ended the fight Hermione was having with herself. She closed those pretty sunburst eyes and ran her thumb over Hermione's cheek when she smiled ruefully. The soft thumping of Hermione's heart made her sigh and she kissed the skin beneath her cheek.

"I love you, mo leannan," Minerva whispered. She echoed the sentiment in her head and watched Hermione smile as she drifted off.

It left her with far too much time to think and she sucked her teeth as the true gravity of the moment settled on her.

"I would not dwell on things too much in these initial moments," a familiar voice said. Minerva pulled the covers up over Hermione's shoulders as she glared at Lucia. "She is just the same," the woman laughed easily. More easily that Minerva felt she could laugh at times. "There is no need to worry."

"If I am worried, it is because you are joining us in a moment we should at least have to ourselves," Minerva huffed. "And she is mine, not yours." Minerva's grip tightened as Hermione stirred and Minerva soothed her sleep for a moment, before she looked back at Lucia. "You do not get to see her like this."

Lucia bowed her head in acceptance and they both looked up at Hermione as she stirred.

"She can feel your discontent," she said gently. "Stay calm."

"She regrets this -"

"No she doesn't," Lucia chastised gently. "You are aware enough to know that's not true. But she now becomes all she can be and that must feel so very heavy. You have completed your bond. She becomes True. As do you."

"Draconvir," Minerva said quietly. "That is what we know."

"Yes," Lucia smiled. "That is what we are."

"She has wings."

"You will not," Lucia chuckled. "I do not, Amalle does not. Just the First."

"I have fire," Minerva said, before she could even comprehend what that meant. It was something she just knew, without any evidence.

Lucia reached forward and motioned for her hand. A flick of her wrist made a beautiful little flame appear in her palm, like Hermione had done so many times. Where Hermione's was a blue flame, Lucia's was more traditional but no less beautiful. Without warning or explanation, she dropped it into Minerva's hand and though she winced a little at the abruptness, she felt no pain otherwise. She held it steady and marvelled at the little flame dancing happily. It felt different to Magic as she knew it. She frowned as she looked at it and tried to determine how it felt different.

"You will grow to understand each other, in time, as your love has done already."

Thoughts of Hermione took her back to the conversation. She extinguished the fire with a fist and met Lucia's eyes.

"What can I expect?"

"Our Elders we're not very forthcoming. We do not know much, only what we have managed to find and what we know from ourselves."

"Which is what," Minerva snapped.

Lucia laughed, instead of taking the bait. It irked Minerva but Lucia crouched beside them and touched Minerva's forehead.

"It will get easier. This is a period of settling. Let it happen as it happens. You will both struggle at times, it is a lot for -" She made a face that Minerva recognised in her own reflection at times. "For one who is long set in her ways. But you have both fought for this. This next phase will not be harder than that. Trust each other."

"I do," Minerva muttered. "With my life."

"I know you do. But this will be a lot for even you to understand. Lean on her trust and her love as you learn this new thing."

"What can she expect?" Minerva bit her lip. "Not pain? Please."

"We do not think so," Lucia said apologetically. "As I said, we have tried to seek answers from our First but he ism" she winced. "Difficult. The biggest challenge, I think, will be allowing each other to think and feel what they do."

"Can we turn it off? Like you taught her?"

"To an extent," Lucia nodded. "You will have to find your way, as you now have the same power that she struggled with in the beginning. But it is different between you. You may be able to block some of it, in time, but not all of it, and never while you are touching." Lucia reached forward and took Minerva's hand. She immediately felt the peace and contentment. "You will have no barriers."

"That will make arguing difficult," Minerva joked.

"You would not believe," Lucia grinned. "Though the afters are something else entirely." Minerva snorted and had to bite her tongue to stop herself from laughing out loud. Lucia's eye twinkled with mirth and she winked when Minerva looked at her again. "As frustrating as it is now, it will become easier and more beautiful with time. The moments you will experience now are desperate. They will be desperate for a while, yet. You have waited much longer than anyone we know of. It is possible the bond will demand more of you in payment for the delay." Minerva's eyes widened. "Trust each other and remember your love at every moment. This place is where you find peace," Lucia whispered as Hermione stirred. "Revel in it for now and do not fight the progression. You will not win. Enjoy it," she winked, which rankled Minerva a little before she chuckled. "You have a beautiful woman in your bed with only the bounds of your imaginations to stop you," she whispered. "Be free, Minerva."

"That is not much to go on, you know. And it is very easy to say, less easy to achieve."

"I know," Lucia said gently. "But it is everything I know."

Minerva sighed and felt the skin under her cheek warm in response.

"I know," she groaned. "I do thank you. I know this must not be easy."

"We are glad to do it. Enjoy yourselves, young one." Those eyes twinkled again. "It is a heady time, being connected so completely to the one you love. It is deeper in every way." She let a long pause settle across them and as Hermione stirred she leaned forward and whispered. "Experiment with your thoughts," she grinned. "The mind is where the pleasure begins, after all."

Minerva blushed deeply as she faded from view. Hermione woke and blinked owlishly as she took in their surroundings.

"Was that -"

"Lucia," Minerva said softly as she cleared her throat. "Here to provide more information at this time."

"What'she say," Hermione mumbled.

"Not much of anything," Minerva muttered. Even in her half asleep state, Hermione gave her a look. "I will explain in time. Now." She leaned up and took in Hermione's features and cautiously concentrated on the feelings that felt familiar even as they were foreign. "How are you?"

"Tired but fine," Hermione smiled. "You?"

She catalogued her body and blinked as she found the previous aches gone.

"Similarly fine," she nodded. "I," she frowned. "Feel better?"

"I do too," Hermione nodded.

"I have always said that naps are something magical."

Hermione snorted.

"If you feel better," she muttered as her fingers traced Minerva's bare shoulders. "And I feel better," she walked those same fingers down Minerva's spine. "Then that means," Hermione rolled them over deftly and Minerva laughed at the enthusiasm and the spike of emotion. "We could do it all over again?"

"I need a bath before anything else," Minerva warned.

"Perhaps this time, I could join you?"

A vision of Hermione arching above her with rivulets of water rolling down her bare body flared into her head and she stared.

"Did you do that?"

"I'm hoping you might do it," Hermione grinned. "I just caught a glimpse of Lucia's advice and decided to use it."

"Bloody hell," Minerva snorted. She kissed her lover hard and nudged her shoulder. "Bath. Now." Hermione kissed her again then leaned up on her arms. Minerva's attention was caught, just as Hermione clearly intended, by her breasts just above her chin. She nuzzled against them and grinned as she kissed the closest one. "Don't distract me," she insisted.

"But you want me," Hermione whispered salaciously.

"Trouble," she warned.

Despite the protests, Minerva gave in. Between the need within her own mind and the want from Hermione, she was powerless to stop it. She captured Hermione's lips and with them, cupped her hand and took the weight of Hermione's breast. She moaned at Hermione's taste and the hardening nipple in her palm.

"Oh, I love you," Hermione breathed.

Minerva pulled away and just watched as Hermione arched. She was so startlingly beautiful as she pressed more of herself into Minerva's hands. She suddenly understood a little more of what Lucia meant.

"Leannan," Minerva said gently. She didn't want to disappoint her young lover, but she really did want a bath.

"You are irresistible," Hermione sighed as she rolled her hips, long and slow over Minerva's belly. Minerva whined as she felt how ready Hermione was.

"Please, Leannan. We can come back to this."

"But I want your hands on me," Hermione muttered. "I want your hands in me."

"Hermione."

Hermione blinked and looked down at her. Her eyes widened and she immediately moved to the side and took Minerva's hand.

"I'm sorry, love," she muttered. She frowned and bit her lip. "I think I got carried away."

"It's alright. I know this is a lot. I am struggling to cope as well. There is nothing I would like to do more than all of those things I can see in your head, but bath first. I need," she winced. "To feel clean. Then perhaps some breakfast."

-0-

The water was exactly what they both needed and Minerva sighed as she got in. Hermione did the same when she got to the other side. Minerva had lengthened and deepened the bath and when Hermione questioned it, Minerva reminded her that Transfiguration of an item is very different to the creation of a bathroom. In a change from the norm, Hermione did not question further and instead, got in the water without another word and dunked her head all the way under.

"That's too hot, surely."

"You tell me," she grinned.

Minerva took a moment to consider, then realised that despite her turning the temperature all the way up, the bath was not as hot as she would have thought.

"Oh," she muttered. "That's -"

"Annoying," Hermione sighed as settled on her back on top of the water. "Nothing will ever be hot enough, ever again."

Hermione took full advantage of the extra space Minerva had created. They spoke quietly, while she floated, about Lucia's visit mostly but Minerva's mind was tumultuous. She chewed her lip and tried to reason with herself.

"It's alright," Hermione muttered as she righted herself. "It will be fine."

Minerva cupped the water in her hand and splashed it on her face to hide the tears building in her eyes.

"Hey," Hermione whispered. She'd moved in front of Minerva where she held her face. "It's alright," she said gently. "It's going to be just fine. You know me. You know my heart and soul belongs to you. Cling to that while we figure this out, like she told us to."

Minerva grasped for her and pulled her into her arms. Hermione's thighs naturally split over Minerva's knees and she welcomed the weight of her lover on her. She pressed her face between Hermione's soft breasts and breathed quietly for a long time while Hermione carded her fingers through Minerva's hair.

"I really did a number on you," she muttered. Minerva blinked up at her with a frown and Hermione laughed and summoned a mirror.

Minerva caught it and looked critically over herself.

"Merlin's teeth!"

"No," Hermione grinned. "Just mine."

Minerva laughed, despite the turmoil in her head and dug her fingers into Hermione's side. The suddenness of it made Hermione squeal and the water splashed over the side. They laughed together as they settled back down.

"You did warn me that you liked to bite," Minerva mused as she rolled her neck. She had expected it to pull a little but in fact, the tightness just reminded her of how she got them and she felt herself flush.

"That's how I felt when I thought about mine too," Hermione whispered in her ear. Minerva looked up and saw that Hermione's neck and shoulders were also littered with bruises that set off the shimmering colours on her chest. She was rather chuffed with herself until she saw Hermione's ribs.

"Oh Merlin, Leannan." She turned her and checked over her back where her fingers had bruised and her nails scored. "I'm so sorry."

Hermione's mischievous grin was back and Minerva groaned into her hands.

"Again," Hermione grinned. "I am not sorry in the slightest." She turned to look at herself. "I actually quite like wearing your love on me."

"I am not going to be able to keep up with you," Minerva mumbled.

"Oh yes you are," Hermione breathed. "Because you are just as turned on as me, right now."

She didn't particularly enjoy the words being so barefaced but she certainly could not deny them as Hermione rolled her hips. Minerva's hands gripped her waist and she watched in awe as Hermione did it again. The water splashed up into her face but she paid it no mind. The raw power beneath Hermione's skin was visible as her muscles worked while she got lost in the rhythm. Minerva's hands trembled as a little gasp escaped Hermione's lips when she pressed up against Minerva's stomach.

She wanted to possess that sound. She wanted to save Hermione from the need within her that she could feel as well as her own.

"I'm yours," Hermione breathed. "Just for you. Take me, Minerva. I want you. Everywhere. Always."

Minerva's resolve broke and she wrapped an arm around Hermione's back and held her there while she cupped Hermione's breast. She had not been lying earlier. At no point had she ever noticed another woman's chest but she loved the look and feel of Hermione's. It was so firm compared to her own and she held it gently while Hermione kept moving.

"Yours are no less perfect," Hermione breathed. I cannot wait to have you in my mouth again.

Minerva moaned as she captured a nipple between her lips. Hermione's hands held her there and she pleaded with her out loud and in her mind, to love her.

For once, she did as she was told.

Her fingers met no resistance and Hermione arched as she slipped inside. The vision she had seen came true as Hermione undulated on her hand with droplets of water rolling down her beautiful body. Minerva sat back and watched in awe. She could not even speak as Hermione's gasping breaths quickened and without a single spoken thought, she slid in another finger like Hermione wanted but could not articulate.

"Min -" Hermione gasped.

Her body squeezed around Minerva and she jerked her own hips in response. A vision of her loving Hermione in a way that they could both enjoy filled her head, much like the vision Hermione had shown her before, and she squeaked as her body tightened in want.

Wings spread out along Hermione's back and they fluttered in rather the same way her channel was. The visual did nothing to ease Minerva suffering.

"Make me yours," Hermione breathed. "Mark me. Inside and out."

Something feral came over Minerva and she spun them. She pressed Hermione up against the side of the bath and pressed her there with her hips while she changed her rhythm to long, deep strokes. Hermione groaned so deeply that Minerva felt it in her chest. Those beautiful wings dripped with water and shimmered happily as they trembled while Minerva chased Hermione's end.

"Fuck," Hermione gasped. "Show me. Show me what you want."

Minerva didn't really know what she wanted but her brain supplied image after image of Hermione breaking apart under her hands. Under her body.

Strong fingers gripped her shoulder as she felt it begin.

"Min -" Hermione arched and as she did, her thigh slid between Minerva's legs and pressed up hard.

Minerva was lost to it. She rocked her hips as Hermione broke and she came as Hermione did. She pressed in more and more, prolonging the feeling until she collapsed against Hermione's chest.

"Fucking hell," Hermione gasped. "Fucking hell, Min. I -"

Minerva had similar thoughts but could not articulate them at that moment. She slid her hand from Hermione and pressed against her.

"Did I hurt you?" she asked when she could speak. "You were sore and I -"

"I asked for that," Hermione muttered from where she was laying against the side of the bath where Minerva had pushed her. "I came to you."

A dirty joke flashed into Minerva's mind and Hermione managed a laugh, even though she had said nothing. Soft fingertips drummed on her shoulder and Hermione's wings faded. She slid back into the water where she wrapped her arms and legs around Minerva.

"Was that okay?"

"I -"

Minerva did not want to speak the fear in her mind, but Hermione did not need her to anymore. Even if she could not read her thoughts, her whole body trembled.

"Min? It's alright," Hermione whispered. "Lucia said this was settling. Let it do so, however long it takes."

"I am afraid I'm going to hurt you," Minerva whispered into the silence. "You said you were sore but then I -"

"Did exactly as I asked," Hermione said softly. "By the time I came over to you, I was not sore anymore. Perhaps our bodies are healing quicker. Perhaps it is a side effect of the bond? I do not know but there is nothing for you to be worried about." Her hands smoothed down Minerva's back and she revelled in it. "I would always tell you. Always."

"I was not in control," Minerva whispered. She pushed Hermione to get off her in an effort to save some dignity. "I did not -"

"Breathe," Hermione whispered. She refused to be moved so Minerva gave up and sat quietly. "Breathe with me."

"I was not -"

"Babe."

She spluttered and saw the amusement in Hermione's face and the annoyance faded. She sighed and allowed Hermione to hold her properly.

"I loved everything you just did, Min," Hermione whispered. "Everything. It felt so good. It was powerful, sexy. I felt consumed by you. And I wanted every second of it." Minerva swallowed and leaned back a little to look at Hermione's face. She searched it for any hint of a lie and when she didn't find anything, she slumped against the side of the bath. "The nature of a bond, I imagine, is a bit like a ritual, right? Like -"

Mating.

Minerva hadn't meant to think that but Hermione cupped her face and stared into her eyes.

"Yes," Hermione nodded. "That is what it kind of feels like in moments."

"Is that why we both had thoughts of -"

Minerva's voice caught and she didn't have it in her to speak aloud.

"That would make sense, wouldn't it?" They lapsed into silence. "To be clear, I do not need that," Hermione said softly. "I love you, and everything about you is perfect. I don't feel like I'm missing anything. But that might make sense, right?"

Minerva hummed but didn't answer. Her thoughts would not be still long enough for her to even have one and she struggled to do anything except cling to Hermione. Hermione obviously understood this and said nothing. She held the back of her head gently as they sat together in silence. Eventually, Minerva realised something.

"I have never allowed myself the idea of having children. I was -" Her voice cracked. "Too old. I missed -"

"And you do not have to imagine that now either," Hermione muttered. Minerva felt the protest form in her mind, but Hermione sought to comfort her before it was uttered. She lifted Minerva's face so their eyes could meet. "Or," she said carefully. "If that is what you want, then we can choose that. Together. We are still in charge of this, Minerva. Whatever is happening between us, you and I are grown up enough to make those decisions together." Minerva stared at her in wonder. "But, when the war is over and we have peace," she grinned. "We can revisit those dreams alright?"

"What -" Minerva blinked. There was a huge, gaping but hopeful chasm in her stomach. "You -"

"I have never been one way or t'other for babies but mostly because I do not have much experience with them." She traced the shape of Minerva's face. "But a tiny baby with this face?" She chuckled. "Our combined intelligence? What could be more perfect than that?"

Minerva must have looked so shocked that Hermione took pity on her. She held her quietly as Minerva's thoughts rose to a crescendo. The terror that her new powers sought to calm was overwhelming and she was so utterly out of her depth that she could not fight it. It built and built until Minerva could do nothing but burst into tears.

"Oh Min."

Great sobbing breaths heaved in her chest and Hermione clicked her tongue as she rocked them. She was well aware they were bare, in the bath but she could do nothing except hold her lover until she got what she could out.

"Breathe lover. Just breathe."

Minerva clutched her tightly and struggled to control her hiccups. Hermione placed her hand on the back of her neck and waited.

Please, make it stop.

She did so and Minerva arched and fell silent. As Hermione let go, Minerva's body collapsed from the released tension. Hermione cradled her softly and brushed back her hair. They sat in silence for such a long time that Minerva's body was beginning to protest. She tried to speak but the words got caught in her throat. Hermione kissed her softly but Minerva pulled away. She shed a tear at the stab of hurt from her love.

"I think I need a little while on my own. Would that upset you?"

There was a tiny hesitation and Minerva felt the answer before she heard it.

"Not at all," Hermione whispered. "I'm going to get out and throw some clothes on and go for a walk, okay?"

That was even worse than the forced separation, even if she was the one that desperately needed it. She looked up sharply and shook her head.

"No, Leannan, don't. I just meant -" Minerva a voice caught and Hermione kissed her softly.

"I am going to go down to the beach," she said firmly. "I might sit on the sand and watch the waves for a while."

"No! Leannan, please!" Minerva protested. Her hands now trembled at the thought. "Love, it's too dangerous."

"It's okay," Hermione kissed her. "I will be fine. Just take your time, okay? Don't rush. I'm going to tuck myself into a corner and wait for as long as you need, okay? Nobody will even know I'm there."

"Her -" She paused and looked at the resolution on Hermione's face and gave in. "Be careful, alright?"

"You know I will. Don't rush. Cry, scream, laugh, whatever you like. If you need me, just let me know. We can use this to test how far away we can be away from each other right now, okay?"

Minerva nodded and Hermione stood up and got out. Minerva's eyes followed every bead of water that trailed down her beautiful skin. She watched her scars move and shift in the light but said nothing further. As Hermione stepped one foot out of the door, she turned back and met Minerva's eyes.

"I need you to do one thing for me?"

Minerva sighed. Her work was never done, it seemed. Hermione smiled that smile that seemed to be for only her and Minerva softened.

"What, love?"

"I need you to remember that I love you without end. My life begins and ends with you. Okay?"

Minerva nodded again, thankful for the reminder, and Hermione disappeared out of the bathroom, leaving her alone in the rapidly cooling water.