A/N: Okay, this one took a bit longer than I expected, but it's 4500 odd words so I guess that's something. I'm going to try and get ahead again this week so there's no more delays. In the meantime, enjoy.
NB: Someone pointed out that Hermione and Will had already met so I'm a dummy, obviously. I've fixed it here so hopefully there's some continuity lol
-0-
Hermione woke gently; warm and comfortable with long, freckled arms wrapped around her. She sighed and smiled as she buried her face into the pillow. Minerva hadn't woken her, but Hermione hadn't needed her to. They'd made love on and off all night and she giggled quietly as she felt her muscles pull a little at the overuse.
"You may laugh, Leannan," Minerva muttered. "Your muscles will recover. Mine may not."
Hermione laughed properly and she turned in Minerva's arms and smiled as tired eyes looked at her softly.
"I love you more than anything in the whole world, do you know that?"
Minerva softened further and pulled her closer. They kissed deeply and as Minerva pulled away, she cupped Hermione's face and smiled.
"I know, Leannan. As do I."
"I had a thought last night, while you were passed out in my arms."
Minerva snorted and altered her hold a little so she could tuck herself under Hermione's chin. She sighed hotly against Hermione's skin and Hermione felt her body tingle at the feeling.
"I don't care how randy you are, love, I'm not going again," Minerva grumbled.
Hermione laughed but didn't push.
"It's alright, I'm thinking now." Hermione reassured her. "But, what if we did something similar to Tom Riddle's diary that Harry and Ginny found in Second Year?"
"How so?"
"Do you think it might be possible to have a book with perhaps a page for everyone and then individual pages for other people that we can write on the page and they receive that information on whatever we nominate? Or whatever they do?"
Minerva hummed but Hermione didn't push and let the woman both wake up and think about the idea. An appreciative kiss to Hermione's collarbone for her patience made her smile.
"It might work," Minerva nodded. "It would take some magic, but I'm sure between us and perhaps with Albus' or Severus' help we could make that work? We have a similar book for things like magical births and I am certain I heard Albus once say he had one that catalogued all the things people vanished?"
"That's -" Hermione blinked. "Odd, and overwhelming to think of. I'm thinking we use silly things as receivers? A cheap watch, a flat pebble to keep in your pocket or something? Things that people won't notice if we're caught or searched."
"Oh, good idea," Minerva nodded. "We could definitely try. It would make things easier if we could keep in contact with them."
"I'm trying to think about simple things that are similar to a muggle mobile phone. I think I read you can communicate with mirrors?"
"You can," Minerva nodded. "Only between two though."
"We might tinker with that once we get back to Hogwarts." She paused and looked down at her lover. "Assuming we are staying?"
"Oh," Minerva chuckled. "I suppose we could. I don't know, sweetheart. I am loath to even think about it yet. What I really want is to have Michael here so I don't feel like we need to be in two places"
"It's alright," Hermione chuckled. "We can table all that for tomorrow morning."
"I have loved this time with you, Hermione. Genuinely."
"You needed it," Hermione soothed. "And I am happy to provide you with all the comfort and sex you need during these weeks."
Minerva laughed and Hermione knew she was awake properly as she looked up at her.
"So much Trouble."
"Just the way you like me, lover."
"That is right," Minerva laughed. "I cannot deny it." They kissed a little longer before Minerva sighed. "I suppose we should really get up."
"We don't have to just yet?" Hermione soothed. "Not that I know when they'll be here but it's not a breakfast date."
Minerva chuckled and they lapsed into silence. Hermione genuinely didn't care to get up and instead scraped her nails over Minerva's scalp and smiled at the hum from her lover. There was so much going on in Minerva's brain, she tried to keep hers clear so she had the room to think.
It really was fascinating being in someone else's head. Just as errant thoughts got stuck in her head, so too did they in Minerva's head too. Things about teaching, about further students, turned Death Eater. In particular, a little girl with dark, intelligent eyes and riotous curls. A shimmering vision of that child and then Hermione as well, flitted through her head.
"Don't," Minerva muttered. "I can't -"
"I'm not that child anymore," Hermione soothed. "It's okay for your mind to wander to the past."
"I do not want it," Minerva hissed.
"Hey," Hermione said softly. "It's okay."
"It's not okay!" Minerva snapped.
Hermione startled and gently shifted away.
"Hermione -"
"I'm just going to the bathroom, it's -" Hermione sighed. "I'll be back in a minute."
She avoided Minerva's grasping hands and escaped into the bathroom where she did her best to keep her mind clear of her thoughts. It didn't work, though and she stared at herself in the mirror until a knock startled her out of it.
"Leannan, may I come in?"
Hermione wiped away a tear she hadn't noticed and sighed.
"No, it's okay, I -"
"Hermione, open the door, sweetheart. Please."
Hermione stared at the door and sighed. She bit her lip and waved her hand to unlock it. Minerva stepped inside and they stood with a gulf between them until Minerva made a noise of despair. She shortened the gap between them and Hermione made a noise of surprise as Minerva grabbed her hips and picked her up to put her on the counter.
"You," she muttered as she stepped between Hermione's thighs. "Did not deserve that and I am sorry."
"It's -"
"No it's not," Minerva interrupted softly. "It was rude and uncalled for and I'm sorry, my love."
"Apology accepted," Hermione muttered. "I know that you are in this -"
"Stop." It wasn't said harshly but it was the tone of voice Minerva often used in a classroom to end whatever disruption was going on. Hermione frowned as she looked at Minerva, who suddenly looked so sad it hurt her heart. "I have hurt you so deeply," Minerva sighed. "And so I must beg your forgiveness again."
"Min -"
"No, listen to me for a moment." Minerva held her face in her hands. "I -" Hermione stared as she waited. Minerva's thoughts were a maelstrom of historical visions and current visions and she reached forward and closed Minerva's eyes.
"It's okay."
"I am so in love with you; you are now a part of the fabric of my very soul." Minerva sighed as she let her forehead rest against Hermione's. "I love you, Hermione."
"But it is fine to feel -"
"No," she whispered. "You don't understand. I have fallen so deeply and irrevocably in love with you that I no longer care how old you are or who you were before you ended up in my head and in," she chuckled as her eyes opened. "In my bed as well. But sometimes," she sighed. "Sometimes when I am tired and when I am out of sorts, I cannot stop myself from examining my decisions in life and you -" She sighed again. "You have changed my life. I am a different woman than I was before we embarked on this but," she paused. "I am a different woman from the woman you changed me into when you arrived at Hogwarts as some children always do and I will never regret that, my love. I am out of sorts, and I hate that I am affecting you because of it."
"You are allowed to be out of sorts and it stands to reason that because we are joined as we are that it will, at least, make me aware of it. I don't need you to be perfect all the time, Min. We're going to argue," she considered it for a moment. "Perhaps. Or we are going to get into our heads too much and the other must mould around that for a while, but I just -"
"I should not take it out on you."
"That would be kinder, yes," Hermione chuckled sadly.
"I am sorry, my love."
"Apology accepted."
Minerva slid Hermione closer on the bench top and locked her hands around her back. They kissed softly until Minerva refused to let Hermione pull away. Hermione only tried once, chuckling against Minerva's lips as they slid their tongues along each other's.
"Hopefully you apologise to me often," Hermione muttered.
Minerva laughed and pecked her lips one more time before she offered her hand and helped Hermione off the counter.
"Let me cook you breakfast," Minerva said gently. "And then perhaps we can work on your idea?"
"I'd like that," Hermione smiled. "I'll meet you in the kitchen because actually, now we're in here -"
Minerva laughed again and kissed her before she left. Hermione let her close the door and sighed though she wasn't sure why. Minerva's mood had shifted but it still lingered in Hermione's mind. She went about her morning routine and was brushing her teeth when she realised who that child was that she had seen in Minerva's mind before it had shifted to her own image. She finished brushing her teeth and moved into the kitchen where she found Minerva listening to the radio while she scrambled some eggs.
"Bellatrix," Hermione said without thought. "That was Bellatrix?"
Minerva paused and put down the eggs. She leaned against the counter and eventually turned to look back at her.
"I'll not deny that there were similarities between you and her when you were both small. It is so very confronting when two children that are so alike veer off into a future that is the antithesis of each. I have been considering it since Narcissa confirmed my suspicions about who had begun to heal her. Not in depth, but it has been there on the periphery. And I still am not totally comfortable with ALL of my thoughts being open and aware for you but I sometimes cannot help it and I -"
"It is my turn to tell you to stop, now."
Minerva took a deep breath and looked back at Hermione. The sadness in her eyes was so deep that Hermione didn't care anymore, she wasn't even sure why she did in the first place except that it was bringing Minerva pain and she would have walked through fire to prevent that.
"Darling," Minerva chuckled. "We are hopeless."
"We are," Hermione grinned. "But we are also learning, still. We're so new, Min. Do you realise that? We have only been in each other's head for so few moments. I think we're doing okay."
Hermione was pulled into Minerva's arms and held so tightly that she had to blink away tears as she pressed her face into Minerva's neck.
"Let's have breakfast and then perhaps, if you are amenable, you will join me in a walk down to the beach? We will work on your idea later. I think I need a change of scenery."
"Oh," Hermione smiled as she pulled away. "I'd love to!"
"Good," Minerva nodded. "Now, you're on tea."
Hermione laughed and they settled into the domesticity that they'd enjoyed all week, with each of them knowing that life would not always give them this peace.
-0-
A crack of Apparition split the night as Hermione watched Minerva check on the roast lamb she'd decided to cook in honour of their guests. Minerva winced as she looked up and Hermione made the decision for her as she stood.
"Don't panic," Hermione chuckled. "It's alright, I will go and let them in. You can keep an eye on this."
"But darling, I should -"
"These are your family, Min. It's okay. You are doing this. I will do that."
The potatoes bubbled dangerously close to the top and Minerva gave up as she turned to rescue them. Hermione smiled supportively and slipped out of the back door to see Poppy and two tall men standing waiting at the back of the field.
"Hermione!"
"Hello," she greeted them all. "Did you -"
"No, I thought it best if you did," Poppy smiled. "That is etiquette."
"The more you know," Hermione chuckled. "Hello Will," she smiled as she turned. "And you must be Alec?" While William was so very like Minerva in his features, Alec seemed very like them as well, with the softness of Poppy in his features too.
"Hermione Granger, you know my William." Hermione shook his hand and grinned when he did. His emotions seemed relatively calm with a rather large dose of intrigue as they shook firmly. "And, yes, my son Alec."
The shake from Alec was more interesting. There was a bit of desire and a bit of excitement and more than a bit of disbelief. She chuckled at Minerva's rude comment in her mind and pulled out a piece of paper that she'd tucked into her jumper pocket earlier for just the occasion.
"Please," she smiled. "And welcome."
They read the parchment and Hermione decided to show off just a little and lit her hand to burn it in the air. William peered closer but Alec remained a little standoffish.
"Please come in?" Hermione chuckled. "Min is cooking and couldn't leave so I apologise that she's not here to say hello. We can go right through to the kitchen though."
Her words were a little ceremonial and Poppy smiled as Hermione glanced at her for reassurance.
"Please excuse my boy's manners," she grinned. "I believe he's a little awed at the woman who has finally snagged Minerva's soul." Hermione smiled as well as Poppy wrapped her in her arms. "And I think Will didn't expect you to get this far; Min doesn't usually settle down with her lovers," Poppy blushed at Hermione's look. "I know you know that," she muttered. "But give them a little while," she whispered in the hug. "They'll relax."
Hermione chuckled as they separated and they walked in silence to the house. She let them in and she hung their cloaks up before motioning them to go into the kitchen.
"They're usually much more boisterous," Poppy chuckled as she slipped her arm in Hermione's. There was a little laughter from the kitchen as they greeted Minerva but Poppy wasn't finished.
"I see you spent some time recuperating," Poppy grinned.
Hermione frowned at her but Poppy laughed and turned her to face the mirror by the door.
"Oh bloody hell," Hermione chuckled. "No wonder they wouldn't look me in the eye."
"I don't think they noticed," Poppy laughed. "I did, however, because you put a similar one on her last time I was here."
"We made good on your suggestion," Hermione muttered, while her cheeks roared. "It was -"
"Oooh," Poppy grinned. "It was -?"
"Amazing," she chuckled. "We haven't quite progressed to where your suggestion lead but what little we have dabbled in was rather amazing."
"Then I'll need to book your time to get all the details."
Hermione laughed as they went into the kitchen and found Minerva hugging Alec tightly.
"It is so good to see you, love."
"And you, Aunty," he chuckled.
"Right, sit down," Minerva ordered. "What are we drinking?"
"Oh," Alec grinned. "I bought something."
"Good," Minerva grinned.
Hermione sat down at the table and watched Minerva interact with her family. It was fascinating the feelings that filled Minerva. A safety, somehow, that Minerva settled in herself knowing that they were safe and secured.
"Darling?"
"Sorry," Hermione blinked. "Totally missed that."
Minerva looked awkward as she suddenly realised what she was doing and Hermione caught on quickly.
"Oh," Hermione shook her head, playing it off. "No thank you."
Minerva paused for longer and Hermione reached out in her mind.
Breathe, it's alright. I'm sure Poppy will have mentioned it.
Perhaps not?
Let it go, just pour yours, I'm fine.
Minerva nodded and did as she was asked. The slightly awkward feeling was back and Hermione sighed.
"Alright," she sighed as she turned to the two men. "Ask what you like."
"Oh, no, Hermione," Poppy said quickly. "They don't -"
"Oh, they do," she chuckled. "Please. I will answer what I can."
"How is it possible you look so young?"
Alec looked between them awkwardly as if he hadn't quite meant to speak it out loud and Poppy opened her mouth to reprimand him.
"It's fine," Hermione said gently, putting her hand on Poppy's and taking some of the tension. "I am young, there's no denying that." She felt Minerva's fear behind her and nodded her over. "I have an explanation for that, but not one I can give you right now. Ultimately, the most important thing is that I love her and though I do not wish to speak for her, I know that she loves me. There is more at work which, again, we will get into as we move through the evening but -" She shrugged. "We are in love and -"
"That is all there is to," Minerva said gently as she leaned on Hermione's shoulders and rubbed her thumb on her neck.
Hermione reached up and squeezed her hand as William shifted in his seat.
"While it is clear that my sister take's comfort from you, what is your angle long-term?"
"William!"
Poppy and Minerva both protested, but Hermione smiled as he looked at her. She laughed at the indignant feelings filling Minerva, but she stopped her with another squeeze of her hand and reached over to touch Poppy's forearm to stop her as well.
"What do you think my angle is?" Hermione said softly. "You have seen me and Minerva together. You watched me piece her back together when she was at her lowest? You tell me. Do you think I'm after her money? That I'm after power?"
"Possibly?"
"William."
Minerva was properly angry and Hermione let William sit for a while so she could turn in her seat.
"Hey," she said aloud, before switching internally.
Easy, my love. I'm not worried about this. He's your little brother and even after all that he's already seen and probably heard, I am still a weird addition to your life that hasn't left yet. They don't know me, so it's okay for them not to know how to feel.
Minerva stared at her for a long time while the silence grew before she nodded.
I do not like the scrutiny. He knows better.
I know you don't. But these things are going to be scrutinised for a while yet, love. Perhaps after my birthday there will be less, but honestly there may be more because suddenly it's very apparent that I'm 18. And that is okay because we know. In our hearts, we know exactly what's going on and whatever everyone else thinks is nothing to do with us.
Minerva nodded and Hermione turned back to William, who was watching with interest.
"I would like to tell you the story properly, but to do that, I would need to do something that relies on trust and I'm not sure we have that yet, do we?"
"I am not sure," William said honestly. "I was impressed with you last time, despite the pain my sister was in and now, I do not know what to think." He glanced up at his sister and then back at Hermione. "I did not expect you to last this long, especially as I honestly thought you were a member of staff."
"You did?" Minerva blinked.
"Poppy never corrected my assumption."
Minerva looked over at Poppy and smiled. Hermione felt a little piece of hurt fix itself in Min's soul.
"You trust me." Minerva said definitely as she turned back to Will.
"I do, though I do not know that you are in your right mind, right now."
"William!"
"It's alright," Hermione chuckled as she took Poppy's hand. "Really, it is. Min, do you want to do the honours?"
"I will."
She disappeared into the foyer and came back carrying her knife. She withdrew it from its sheath and flipped it in her hand.
"I am in my right mind. I am. But with this, you are bound to us," Minerva said gently. "To me. To Hermione. You become protected by us and our bond. Which I recognise is not particularly clear right now but in order for us to tell you this whole tale, we require your protection as well. You know enough to know what I'm offering, so -" She stood to her full height and motioned with the knife. "Do you trust me, William?"
"You love this woman? Truly. A bheil gaol agad oirre gun chrìoch?" [You love her without end?]
Minerva glanced over at her and Hermione smiled.
"Tha gaol agam oirre le teine nach loisg a-mach gu bràth." [I love her with a fire that will never burn out.]
William turned back to Hermione, but she grinned cheekily and looked over at Minerva.
"Tha gaol agam ort mar teine. I don't know how to say that I love her like that, so I figured I'd go with what I do know."
"You know Gaelic?" William blinked.
"It's slow progress," Hermione chuckled. "She is doing her best, but it's not easy."
"You -" Something in his face changed and he stood and wrapped Minerva up in his big arms. She chuckled and wrapped her arms around him as well and they rocked together as they hugged.
"I'm sorry," he said as they parted. "I wasn't sure what to think. Especially after last time. I know Poppy warned me and she wasn't supposed to and then it went so wrong, but -"
"It's alright," Minerva chuckled as she wiped away a tear. "It is unconventional to be sure and not a bit like me. But I love her, Will, more than I elucidate."
"It's all very lovely, but I don't understand what just happened," Alec mused.
"Minerva would not, and has not ever, given someone Gaelic," William said quietly. "She would only do that for someone she loves." Hermione smiled. This man knew his sister deeply and she was glad of it. "I apologise, Hermione, for not -"
"You don't have to," she interrupted. "I understand."
"Well I guess if Dad is fine with it then so am I," Alec shrugged. "I don't get it, cos," he winced. "Well, you're younger than me. But I love you, Aunty. I'm not going to argue."
"Bloody hell, Alec," Poppy groaned into her hand.
They all laughed as Minerva wiped away her tears and stood taller.
"William, Alec, take this and know that I will always protect you. In time, we may ask you for help and though we would wish it given freely, we will never force you. We offer this to you without reservation and it would honour us if you would join us."
Hermione reached behind her and withdrew her knife as well. She offered the handle to Alec as both men paused.
"Does it -"
"We will never hurt you," Hermione soothed. "But once you are with us, you will be protected by us and all that we are."
William took Minerva's knife and then Alec took Hermione's as well and both Hermione and Poppy sighed.
"Thank god."
"Alright, you lot. Sit back down," Minerva groaned. "Let's eat and we'll talk over dinner."
Once everyone else had loosened up a little, the talking was easy. She and Minerva gave them a relaxed history of their courtship but Hermione could tell that both men were itching for the real answers.
"Alright," Minerva said as the conversation fell into a lull. "Into the living room with you and we'll answer some real questions."
They laughed and reconvened. Hermione dragged Minerva with her, insisting she leave the dishes until later.
"You can teach me the spell later. You cooked, I can set a spell, but later. Come on, visit with your family."
"Our family, now, love," Minerva chuckled as she was cajoled by Alec as well. "What's mine is yours."
"I'm going to have to get something so I can reciprocate that statement, aren't I."
Minerva snorted and they joined the others in the living room, in front of the big windows.
"Alright," Alec muttered. "What's really going on?"
Minerva chuckled and wrapped her arm around Hermione's shoulder.
"Go on then," Minerva grinned.
Hermione started on the more in-depth version of their tale, revealing information about their new powers and the new thing they were building. She gave them as much information as she could safely imagine doing and when she was finished, there was a stunned silence as they all looked at her.
"You're a -"
"Draconvir," Minerva said gently. "Something the Wizarding World has not seen for a very long time."
"What does that mean though, and you -"
"She's a dragon, son," Will chuckled. "A statement I still fear speaking."
Minerva rolled her eyes and poked out her tongue.
"The simple answer is that I can set myself on fire," Hermione chuckled as she offered her hand and lit it without even a thought. "As can your Aunt."
Minerva offered the same thing and he stared with wide eyes.
"I have wings," Hermione shrugged.
She drummed her fingers on Minerva's thigh and leaned forward to accommodate the outstretched additions. Minerva's fingers travelled along the fine skin stretched between the bones and made Hermione shiver. She looked at Minerva's barely concealed grin and shook her head.
And you call me Trouble.
Minerva chuckled and kissed her hand as Hermione drummed her fingers again and her wings disappeared.
"I do not have wings. That is reserved for Hermione, alone."
"Well Min, what in the hell ha' you got yourselves into huh?"
They laughed again and fell silent. Good food and good wine had dulled their senses just a little and the questions had undoubtedly filled their heads with questions she could not yet answer.
"I'm sorry that I cannot be more forthcoming," Hermione said as she came to that very conclusion. "What I can tell you is that what I have told you already is all I can tell you for now. He Who Must Not Be Named, must not be called by name," she warned softly. "But he is definitely back and in charge. We believe we damaged him significantly, recently, but he lives still, as do most of his people."
"So we really are at war?" Alec asked quietly.
"See why I wanted you to join your sister?" Poppy sighed. She'd remained quiet for the most part, but her eyes watered as she looked at her child and Hermione's gut squirmed with the worry that filled Minerva as well.
"I do," he nodded. "But I won't. She's fine there, safe. I will fight with my family. It's where I am supposed to be Mum."
Minerva made a noise of protest, but Hermione stopped her from speaking.
He is his own man. You do not like people telling you what to do, why should he feel any different?
Minerva snorted and kissed her shoulder.
"I only wish we could have ended on a high note," Minerva said softly. "But now, we must rest. I'm sorry."
"No," William said gently. "It's alright. I have to work on the morrow anyway. It will give us time to settle this in our minds and the next time we meet, we will have new questions."
"Well," Alec groaned as he did. "I suppose I should say congratulations, Aunty. You bagged a hottie."
Hermione and Alec roared with laughter while Minerva blushed a deep, deep shade of red. Poppy slapped her son around the shoulder while William chuckled as well. Hermione stood and offered a closed fist to Alec and bumped her fist with his.
"You're alright, Aunty."
She laughed again as Minerva got up and ruffled his hair before she pulled him into her arms.
"Cheeky sod," she muttered as she kissed his temple. "Stop growing, too. I know we are all quite tall, but there's no need for this."
He laughed easily and stepped back as William gathered them both into his arms and held them tightly.
"You do get in'a some scrapes, Minerva." He kissed her hair and winked as he pulled away. "I am glad you are getting into this one together, at least."
Poppy hugged them without comment but paused and whispered something into Minerva's ear that made her blush and Hermione could only surmise it was something to do with what she'd already told Poppy. She chuckled as they separated and walked them to the door.
"I think we'll walk back across the field instead of going through the hedge," Poppy mused. "Merlin knows I'm thankful we thought to bring a Portkey."
Minerva laughed and hugged her once more before they parted ways. Her long arms wrapped around Hermione's middle while they watched their sort-of new family wander back to the Apparition point and disappear with a pop.
"Wanna stay out here for a while?" Hermione asked when it seemed as though Minerva did not want to move just yet.
"Just for a while."
"Come," Hermione whispered.
She pulled Minerva further out of the house, on the uneven pavers behind the house and spun. Her arms caressed Minerva's face and wrapped around her neck while she pressed closer. She hummed a slow tune she'd heard recently as Minerva smiled and pulled her closer. The moonlight and the fox that barked in the distance was the only witness as they danced quietly, knowing things to come were about to begin.