A/N: Is this the return to normal service? I just don't know. I took the day off today because why not, quite frankly, but I cannot do that every week so we will see how we go. I do have all weekend off so that bodes well. Fingers crossed everyone. I promise, that at some point, I will figure out what everyone is doing but for now we're just ... existing.

-0-

They had not seen Lucia or Amalle for the rest of the day but Minerva didn't mind so much. She kept herself busy until they retired to bed around nine. They had not talked about anything pressing and as they lay in bed, their pinky fingers joined as Minerva stared at the ceiling, they didn't speak much then either.

She felt Hermione drift off an hour or so later after a long stretch of silence, but sleep would not come. Instead, she kissed their joined hands and rose. Her soul was restless and she shuffled into the bathroom and leaned on the sink while she stared into her own eyes.

She was as conflicted as she had been when this whole thing began; when she had begun to feel the tiny tendrils of love make themselves known. She had promised herself she would never act like that again, and yet, here they were. Where these people, these very real people, so alike in one respect but only in that one respect, were now a permanent fixture of their timeline. She did not know how to categorise all the things she felt and she hated that more than anything.

She sighed and finished in the bathroom and slipped out to the small bar in the living room. She poured a drink and slugged it down before she poured a second and took it over to the windows to sip. She'd done the same earlier and she'd seen the face Hermione had pulled and felt the tiny worries but she had no space left to give to that.

She'd examine her alcohol consumption when she wasn't three breaths from a panic attack.

She looked around before sitting. They did use the other parts of the living room, but more often than not, they settled before the big picture windows and watched the world go by. She did so now, noting that the storm rolling in off the sea matched her mood rather well.

"May I join you?"

She'd heard someone shuffle in but she had not looked. Amalle looked as though they were prepared for a no, but Minerva waved her hand and offered the seat. They took it and sat in silence until Minerva realised why.

"Would you like a drink? Something to eat? Did Hermione explain -"

"She did," Amalle nodded. "Quickly. I do not know what you drink here?"

"Nor would she, really," Minerva muttered. "She is not yet old enough to join me."

Amalle did not comment but Minerva went back to the bar and poured a drink for them. She glanced over at them, in two minds about whether to add a splash of water before deciding not to. They are here now, they could adjust it as necessary if they needed it.

The first sip made them cough but they rallied and Minerva shared a smile with them as she sat back.

"I know it is not ideal that we have simply thrust ourselves upon you," Amalle whispered as she stared out of the windows. "And I know that the feelings you have towards us are not the same as Hermione might, for example, but please believe me when I tell you -"

"Stop," Minerva whispered. "Don't apologise or give excuses. It is not for me to pass judgement. My emotions are my own and are not for you to excuse."

"And yet when we cause you pain we would fix it as best we could?" Amalle asked softly as they turned to face Minerva.

"There are some pains that cannot be fixed with someone else's love," Minerva muttered quietly. "I do realise that I am the problem here. I am -" She sighed. "Discombobulated."

"Your language is so strange and yet feels so normal to me."

"I have no doubt there will be a great many things that will feel that way as we go," Minerva sighed. "Have you thought that far?"

"We are prepared for a very long education," Amalle snorted. "No doubt there are so many things we cannot imagine."

"Muggles," Minerva frowned. "Non-magical folk, can travel at great speeds through the air and on the ground with the use of technology. They can create things and build great towers towards the sky. Food is global. If anything, the Wizarding World has been hampered by its magic. We, they," Minerva shrugged. "Cling to the past like a blanket. They scoff at the lack of magic muggles have, and yet are years and years behind them."

"I cannot wait to explore this world."

"You will have to," Minerva muttered. "We are at war and I cannot spend as much time as I like here, let alone -" She motioned with her drink towards the windows. "Out there."

"We are not here to cause as much trouble as you fear from us," Amalle whispered. "I know it is not ideal."

"I maintain that I am angry with the both of you. You could have caused permanent damage to either timeline. What happens now that both of you have existed and now do not."

"We are not so important," Amalle joked.

"You were important to us," Minerva snapped.

A silence fell and Minerva breathed out slowly as Amalle's hand covered her own.

"Breathe," they said gently. So like Hermione in tone, but without the feelings that came with it.

"I am so angry with everyone."

"I remember that feeling," Amalle whispered. "It eases with time. Trust your bond and lean into it, as I have heard Hermione say. It will ease and if it does not, then you must use it."

"I have fought and fought and fought, for so long. And now you are here and there is the other one that I absolutely got flogged by and I just do not -"

"Hey," Hermione whispered as she leaned over the back of the sofa and wrapped her arms around Minerva's chest. Despite the fact that she'd missed her approach, Minerva took Amalle's advice and leaned into those arms. "It's going to be alright."

"I know that I am magically sound."

Hermione snorted and gave her a look.

"You are one of the greatest magic wielders in all of the world," Hermione said flatly. "Don't go about damning yourself because you came up against a new enemy and were bested. The only thing you have not conquered is this new power. Perhaps -" She said it so carefully, Minerva didn't need their bond to know what was was to come next. "Perhaps now that Amalle and Lucia are here, they can help you, us, with that."

"I will retire," Amalle said softly. "Thank you for speaking with me, Minerva. Whether you wish to hear it or not, I am sorry that we have caused upset. I hope -" They looked towards the back of the house where the guest room was. "I hope in time you will forgive us."

Minerva did nothing to ease their fear and they waited in silence whilst Amalle went back to bed.

"That was mean," Hermione muttered as she came around and sat on the coffee table in front of her.

"It was honest. There is a difference."

"Min." Hermione sighed and rubbed her face. "What is the real problem? It's not about them coming here and potentially messing up the timeline. You're not that fickle."

"I -"

"Min, this is me. Talk to me, babe."

Minerva rolled her eyes and pulled Hermione into her arms. She went willingly and Minerva held her against her chest while she got comfortable laid out beside her.

"I can see myself loving them," Minerva said absently while she ran her fingers through Hermione's hair. Her ear was pressed up against her belly and Minerva twirled her golden streak through her fingers, encouraging the ringlet to form. "I can see us becoming a family, having babies and leaving those babies with them while we make more." Hermione laughed and it made Minerva smiled, regardless of how she felt. "But I had a family, Hermione. A real one. And they all died before their time and that pain, regardless of how long it has been or how the relationship was at the time when they did die, hurts." She dropped her head back on the sofa. "So much."

"I know," Hermione whispered. She reached up and wiped away a tear that Minerva couldn't be bothered to catch. "But we are surrounded by family, Min. So many of them, if we're honest. You already examined this with Harry. They are our treasures and they are ours and we will do anything to protect them."

"And when they die?"

"Min," Hermione sighed. "We will all die some day."

"You have proven very much otherwise."

"Minerva, look at me?" She looked down at her love, her soulmate and let the tears fall. "You told me this, remember?" Minerva nodded, already knowing what was coming. "We will lose people, but even if we do, they will know that they were loved by us, in a way that is so monumental that it cannot be grasped by any normal measure. Lucia and Amalle are here to help. They are here to be loved and love us in return. We already know that this power we have been given -" Hermione set her hand on fire and offered it to Minerva, who did the same and watched the two flames dance together. "This is all about love, babe. It will always be about love."

"Will you hold me?" Minerva whispered. "Will you hold me so I can pretend it's just you and me in this world and nothing else?"

"Come on," Hermione smiled as she got up.

Minerva was pulled up and trailed after Hermione as they went back to bed. The windows were darkened and the lights turned off. Hermione pushed her onto the bed and got in after her, pulling the covers over them both and wrapping her smaller body around her tightly.

"Don't stop talking to me, okay?" Hermione whispered. "Anything we have to conquer we can do together. It's you and me, babe. Forever."

"I love you," Minerva muttered against her throat. "But please, for the love of Merlin, stop calling me that."

Hermione laughed and kissed her face over and over until Minerva kissed her back and felt their bond stretch out like a cat beneath their skin.

"There," Hermione whispered. "Sleep, beautiful, let me take care of you."

-0-

Minerva was still asleep when Hermione woke again. She understood the trepidation of their people joining them. It was hardly conventional but she could not see the new development as anything other than the best news she'd had in so long. Somehow, within herself, she felt like this was absolutely the right thing to do. Between Amalle and Lucia feeling out of place in their own time and feeling so at home with them and the way that they were connected, it was logical, even as it wasn't.

The problem was that she had no idea what to do now. They were from a time so long ago that she would perhaps have to teach them everything and that was just another thing on top of all the other things they needed to do as well.

She sighed. There was always so much.

Minerva stirred and Hermione went dead still to prolong her sleep. She'd known Minerva hadn't been sleeping very well. Indeed, her own sleeping patterns were as surprising as ever. Some days she would not sleep at all and others, she would be lulled into comfort by her lover's arms and she would sleep like the dead for more than 12 hours. Minerva's habits too, were a little odd, but for now she needed her rest.

Hermione soothed her as she began to move and kissed her eyelids before she slipped out and showered and got dressed. She had no idea what they might do today, so she dressed for comfort and headed into the living areas.

The storm that they'd seen rolling in was still raging and she could not yet see the edge of it either. She made her own breakfast and gave in to Feedle and let her make her a pot of tea. It was rather funny when Feedle gave them grief about feeding themselves but she didn't want to push. It had already been a little tense regarding their new visitors but now she seemed to just be annoyed Hermione settled for a bowl of cereal instead of a proper breakfast.

"I'll eat again when everyone is up, okay?" she promised as she sat down at the table.

Feeble gave her a look and popped away. It occurred to Hermione that their house was not a Wizarding one and she wasn't quite sure where they were going when they weren't visible. She made a note to investigate that and finished her cereal before she got up. Her tea remained hot as she carried it into the living room and for once the house felt too small. She slumped onto the sofa and looked up at Michael's portrait. The man watched on with interest but didn't say anything and she grinned when he pretended to look uninterested.

"You ham," Hermione chuckled. "Ask your questions."

"I cannae do tha' nah, can I?"

"Why not?" Hermione asked. "You're a part of the family, aren't you?"

If a portrait could blush, Hermione was certain he was doing so and she grinned as he stood a little taller.

"I would inquire about their names, perhaps?"

"Lucia is the one who looks a little like Minerva and Amalle is the one that looks like me. Amalle does not go by she or her, they prefer to be addressed without gender. Them, or they, or simply by name."

"I -" He frowned. "I do not understand, but that matters not."

"Thank you."

"Are they -"

"They've come from a different timeline," Hermione said honestly. "And now they are here. They are both Draconvir and I'm hoping, in time, they will help us win the war and further our cause."

"That is really somat."

"It is that," she chuckled, mimicking his accent.

"I tell yeh, we'd make a bonny lass out of yeh yet."

She laughed and lay back on the sofa.

"What's going on at Hogwarts then?"

"Not a lot," he shrugged. "Albus works, Severus and Narcissa make gooey eyes at each other. I believe young My Malfoy has returned to the Weasley residence at the invitation of Mr Potter."

"Oh, good," Hermione smiled. "Hestia?"

"She has returned to her post for the time being. She received some intelligence that there was a little resistance in the Ministry that she might like to feel out. She left with Albus' blessing. She was going to spend some time in the barracks and if anything went sideways, join her family on the continent."

"Fair enough," Hermione nodded. "So Severus and Narcissa down in the Chamber alone?" She grinned. "Good for them, I suppose."

"I have not been down there since," Michael winced. "I assume they'd ask for me if necessary."

"That would be most likely," Hermione laughed. "I think it's alright if you let them enjoy themselves for a while. And if something needs saying to them, I suppose we will go and sat it." Hermione was quite sure that Michael mumbled something along the lines of 'better you than me' and laughed again. "You're a portrait! Does it even matter?"

"Of course it matters," he argued. "I have to keep that to myself until someone sets fire to my canvas. I don't need to think about it."

"Fair enough," Hermione grinned. "Now -"

"I did not mean to intrude," Lucia said softly as she came into the room.

"Nonsense," Hermione soothed. "Please, have a seat. Do you want something to eat?

"I would usually have a carafe of wine," Lucia muttered. "But I understand you do not do so here?"

"No," Hermione chuckled "No we learned that's not actually all that good for you in the couple of hundred years after you guys. We have water or we can get you some fruit juice? Minerva and I drink tea, most people in the isles drink tea but it's hot."

"That will do," Lucia smiled as Hermione procured a cup with a wave of her hand and poured her a cup. After a little explanation of the ways one could take a cup of tea, Lucia joined her on the sofa and watched the rain run down the glass.

"That is magnificent," Lucia muttered. "Did you install it yourself?"

"No, we've done very little to it since we bought it," Hermione smiled. "Perhaps in time we might do something but we kinda liked the quaintness of it."

"And here we come, ruining it."

"I don't think either of us would enjoy you staying here forever," Hermione said gently. "But until then, you are welcome here, of course you are. Regardless of her initial reaction, I know Min feels the same. We're not just going to put you out, Lucia."

"I feel as if there is simultaneously so much to do and so little as well."

"Ah," Hermione grinned. "Welcome to my world. We are free to do as we like while we wait for a war we want to end. It is incredibly frustrating."

"You talk freer here, than you do," Lucia shrugged. "Where we were."

"You are real here, and nobody is listening. I am a child of war, Lucia, I know how to hold my tongue."

"I never doubted it, little one."

Hermione shared a smile with her and they sat side by side watching the rain.

"She is bereft at our appearance," Lucia whispered after a while.

"No," Hermione sighed. "She is saddened by the potential of more hurt. Love is so painful sometimes."

"All times," Lucia sighed. "Do you think it would help to talk to her?" Hermione looked sideways at her. "I feel, again, that the parameters have changed since we are here. I can no longer feel your thoughts as we once did. I have some power." Lucia reached out and held Hermione's hand. "But it is different."

"Perhaps it is only what you need here?"

"Perhaps," Lucia nodded. "And I suppose as our energy waned, it did too?"

"That does happen to me a little?"

"A plausible theory for the moment."

"Well," Hermione nodded. "Amalle spoke to her last night. I don't know what they said, especially, but it seemed to help, so yes, perhaps it will. I do know -" Amalle joined them with a soft kiss against Lucia's hair. "I do know that she likes to walk. I don't know whether that is a pastime where you are from, but here, she likes to walk a long, long way." Hermione giggled. "I am often exhausted by the time we get home. But the beach is only across the road and it is pretty much empty all the time. We can make sure you have clothing and the like. I know we have to do all that but for now, perhaps that can be the beginning."

"Thank you, little one," Lucia whispered.

"Good morning," Minerva muttered as she joined the three of them and sat beside Hermione and stole her tea, making a face when she had a sip. "Merlin, that is sweet."

"Get your own then," Hermione smiled softly. If Minerva had resorted to previous instances then perhaps things weren't as dire as she supposed they might be.

Oh no, things are just as bad as they were. Minerva looked at her as she sipped her own tea, this time. Perhaps you are right in letting it sit for a while.

Lucia confirmed her powers are not the same here. She cannot hear us, though she can feel us.

Minerva hummed and Hermione glanced at Lucia as a mild tension fell atop of them.

"Perhaps once this storm is through," Lucia said softly. "Minerva, you might show me the sea?"

Minerva paused with her cup half way to her mouth and looked through frowning eyes at Hermione. As ever, there was nothing she could do to prevent the grin she was sporting and she shrugged innocently.

"I would love to," Minerva muttered.

"Then perhaps Amalle and I will continue resting and when you are ready to go, you might retrieve me?"

"I will," Minerva promised.

"You haven't eaten," Hermione frowned. "Please don't feel you have to go on our account."

"We will have something in our rooms. This is your time alone," Lucia said gently. She reached forward and placed her hand on Minerva's shoulder and squeezed just a little. "I do not want to get in the way of that any more than we already have."

Hermione watched them walk away and turned back to Minerva but she was steadfastly looking out of the window at the rain. Instead of trying to broach the topic again she got up and went into the kitchen. Perhaps now was the time to ask Feedle where the heck she went to when she disappeared and perhaps she could persuade her to let her help cook something for them all.