Chapter 3

The month flew by for Hermione. Despite having no demands on her time, she managed to keep herself busy. Poppy had sent the information and a portkey she needed for their refuge weekend and Hermione found she was actually looking forward to the experience. On the scheduled day, she had a bag packed and the portkey in her pocket before the morning sun fully appeared over the horizon. Four hours and too many cups of tea later, she emerged from a copse of Scotch Pines to find the other women greeting each other and brushing travel dust from their clothes.

"Ah, here she is," Poppy announced.

All eyes turned to scrutinize the newcomer.

"Minister…I think you know most everyone…" Poppy playfully needled.

"Yes, I believe so, Madam Pomfrey… Hello, ladies."

"Hermione, this is Audra Lavigne. She was the headmistress of Beauxbatons Academy after Madame Maxime."

"Oh, of course." Hermione appraised the woman and fought to keep her initial reaction buried at the bottom of her stomach. Her eyes took in a stunningly elegant individual with long auburn hair that curled perfectly at the ends to frame a flawless, porcelain-skinned face, an enviable athletic body hugged impeccably in designer clothing, and guileless hazel eyes that shone golden in the sunlight. "It's nice to meet you, finally. I'm sorry our professional paths never crossed."

"The pleasure is mine, I assure you."

Hermione gulped reflexively as Audra's accent seemed to sing in her ears.

"Are we quite finished?" Minerva's brusque brogue yanked Hermione back to earth, causing her to blink in confusion.

"Yes, of course." Poppy gleefully agreed. "Let's get settled."

The women headed off down a narrow path towards the loch Hermione had first noticed when she arrived. Minerva was joined at the front of the line by Audra, followed by Poppy, Pomona, and Septima, then Hermione with Aurora on her heels. The hikers traveled at different paces, so Hermione was soon a few meters behind Septima when she heard a husky voice by her side.

"She's Veela."

"What?"

"Audra…she's part veela." Aurora explained kindly.

"Oh."

Aurora eyed Hermione, wondering if she understood. "That's why you reacted as you did."

"How did I react?" Hermione wondered.

"You nearly swooned. Had Minerva not jostled you with her shoulder, I think you would have fainted."

"Seriously?"

"You might want to protect yourself…"

"Yeah, right. Thank you. I will."

Hermione huffed out a breath in relief when they finally emerged into a large clearing with four yurts surrounding a large fire pit.

"Home sweet home," Poppy announced.

The women automatically branched off towards the tents, leaving Hermione standing indecisively by the fire circle.

"Oh, Hermione," Poppy called, "you best bunk with Minerva for your own protection."

The four Hogwarts matrons laughed uproariously as they partnered up with their respective long-established bunkmates. Hermione turned to find Audra watching her intently from her yurt, just before dropping the flap closed. With another nervous swallow, Hermione hustled after Minerva.

"Are you going to be alright?" Minerva asked with a hint of amusement in her voice.

"Go ahead. Have a good laugh. I will remember this."

"You aren't really upset, are you?"

"Not so much. Most people love being made to feel like a pubescent adolescent when they're sixty years old."

Hermione was stilled from her unpacking by a warm hand on her arm.

"I apologize, Hermione. I honestly never thought to warn you. I have known Audra for so long; I never think about who or what she is. I guard myself without even thinking."

"It's fine Min…" Her words choked off as long arms wrapped around her from behind and she was pulled back gently into the solid strength of Minerva's body.

"I am sorry…"

Hermione sighed and sank back into the embrace, her hands coming to rest on Minerva's arms wrapped across her chest. "It's alright. Really. I'm not angry."

"Poppy always had a bit of a mean streak in her. I'm sure it was meant to be harmless fun."

"Minerva… I am not actually a child. I think I can handle a little bit of immature provocation."

Minerva gave Hermione a gentle squeeze before releasing her back to her unpacking.

"This yurt is amazing," Hermione muttered in awe as she took in the hardwood floor, luxurious bedding, central fire pit, and even artwork hung on the walls. "Is this a muggle campground?"

"Nay. 'Tis part of my property."

"Are you serious?"

"Aye. My family was not one to build mansions, but we were fond of procuring land."

"Your family meaning…?"

"About seven generations."

"Wow. Why do I think that means a lot of land?"

"'Tis only about forty thousand acres."

"Only…"

"Are you up for a hike? We usually take a stroll to the inlet river on our first afternoon."

"I should have asked what you actually do on your retreats."

"Walk, read, converse…relax."

"Does everyone go on this inaugural jaunt?"

"Aye," Minerva laughed at Hermione's eye roll. "You may be forgiven tomorrow's excursion."

"How long is that?"

"Around the loch."

"The entire loch?"

At Minerva's lack of response, Hermione pressed, "How long does that take?"

"About eight hours."

"Holy sh… I had no idea I needed a year's worth of training for this weekend."

"Come along, fledgling, there is much to accomplish."

Before following Minerva out of their tent, Hermione quickly cast a number of protection spells to shore her defenses against Audra's influence.

"I cannot believe you all left me." Hermione huffed as she walked into camp with a slight limp.

"Last one back prepares dinner," Pomona explained innocently.

"My god. I understand why you all don't get any new members to your little club. You're brutal."

"No one has been invited in half a century." Sinistra disclosed.

"Right. Well, if Madame Pomfrey will kindly fix my ankle, I will be happy to slave over your evening meal."

Poppy laughed good-naturedly and tended to Hermione's sprain. Before releasing the repaired leg, she squeezed the calf affectionately, relaying the sentiment beneath the teasing. Hermione gripped the medi-witch's hand in return and winked, confirming understanding and consent.

After dinner, Hermione escaped early to get some rest. Shaking her head in disbelief over being the one least in shape, she crawled into her bed feeling a remarkable absence of stress. "Who knew exhaustion was the key to peace?" she mumbled to herself.

"It does help one's sleep."

"I didn't hear you come in."

"Cats do tend to be quiet."

Hermione listened to the barely audible sounds of Minerva readying for bed. She had to smile at the sigh that escaped after the sound of a faint squeak from Minerva's bed. "I'm not the only one, then?"

"Remains of the day." Minerva defended herself easily.

"Are you walking tomorrow?"

"Aye."

"Is everyone going?"

"Nay, lass. Not everyone cares to enjoy the highlands in this manner."

"So, who usually goes with you?" The lack of response made Hermione think Minerva had already drifted off. "Minerva?"

"No one."

"What?" Hermione's surprised laughter sounded explosive in the silence of the night.

"No one else goes on this hike."

"You go alone? Every year?" The lack of response answered her. "Well, I will go with you, if you'll have me."

"I would welcome your company."

"Excellent. See you tomorrow?"

"Aye. At daybreak."

"Oh, my god."

"Hermione, are you ready?"

Minerva's voice stirred Hermione from her slumber. "What?"

"Are you ready? We need to get moving if we want to be back before dark."

"But it's dark right now." Hermione protested.

"Aye, but 'tis already gray. The sun will be up before we reach the crag. Come along. I will be right outside."

"Ugh." Hermione kicked her blankets off and pushed herself up. "This weekend is going to kill me."

The morning half of the hike was a nearly silent progression except for an occasional alert to terrain alterations, there was no conversation. Although Hermione appreciated the beautiful landscape broken up by encounters with a variety of wildlife, by lunch break she was wishing she had stayed behind. Minerva handed over a cup of tea and attempted to catch her eye.

"Are you unwell, Hermione?"

"I'm fine. Although I must admit I am getting tired."

"We may quit at any time."

"Good to know." Hermione bit into an egg sandwich.

"Thank you for joining me."

The words spoken plainly sparked a deep response within Hermione's heart.

"Most people, as you witnessed yesterday, have a need to chatter on, non-stop. I am grateful you can allow the time to savor the quietude."

"So, you aren't resentful of my presence."

Minerva's eyes snapped up to lock with Hermione's. "Resentful? Why would you think…"

"I assumed you weren't speaking to me because you weren't particularly happy that I crashed your weekend."

"No! I never had such a thought. I am elated you are here."

"You are?"

"Aye. I was delighted Poppy asked you and you agreed."

Hermione felt her cheeks heating up and ducked her face towards the plate in her lap, hiding from Minerva's gaze. "You really don't mind me pushing in on your circle of friends?"

"Do you mind that I communicate regularly with Harry? Or that I have a special fondness for George Weasly? Or that I devotedly protect Hagrid?"

"No! Not at all. It actually makes me happy that you do."

"Then we are even. Your inclusion this weekend does not damage my connection with any of these women. If anything, it makes our camaraderie that much sweeter."

Hermione's eyes danced over the vista. "Looks like some weather is rolling in."

Checking the skyline, Minerva grumbled, "We best head back. Looks like that will hit us before tea time."

"Can we make it around?" Hermione questioned, suddenly crestfallen at the possibility of not completing their trek.

Evaluating Hermione's appeal, Minerva nodded. "We might. We can try. If we get caught up, we can always apparate."

The return of Hermione's grin warmed Minerva. With a hand, Minerva waved their lunch away and reached to help Hermione off the ground. "Let's go."

The storm, once it hit, was relentless. In the time it took Minerva to grab Hermione's hand and apparate with her to their tent, they were both soaked. Once dried and changed, Minerva blinked over to Poppy's tent to check in.

"Ah, here you are. Nice walk?"

"Until the storm. Where is everyone?"

"As you can see, Pomona is passed out. Aurora and Septima were in similar conditions and went back to theirs. And, you know Audra…she wasn't 'about to stay in the woods in a downpour', so she left."

"Did no one bring any opposis?"

"Apparently not."

"You have none in your usual stores?"

"I forgot to replenish after last year."

"Are you hungry?"

"Already ate. There are more Cornish Pasties if you want." Poppy waved towards a bag on the table.

"Would you like some company?"

"Nah. You go have an evening. I'm quite content with my knitting and fire."

"Are you sure?"

"Go on, Min. You have someone to entertain and you don't need me butting in."

"Poppy…"

"I have been your friend for a very long time, Minerva. I know. Now, go."

Minerva stared beseechingly, willing Poppy to change her mind. After half a minute, Minerva huffed in defeat, "Fine. I will leave you to it." She grabbed the bagged pasties on her way out.

"Hey, where is everyone?" Hermione glanced up from tending the fire at Minerva's entrance.

"Dead drunk, except for Poppy."

"Does she want to join us?"

"She already ate."

"Oh."

"Care for a pasty? They're still warm."

"Of course they are."

Minerva put the pies out and, to Hermione's surprise, produced a couple of pints of ale.

"Wow. Beer? Who knew?"

"It does go well with a good pasty, don't you think?"

"I do. I just had no idea you did?"

"Another rung down." Minerva muttered.

"What's that?"

"Nothing."

Hermione watched Minerva for a few moments, waiting for her to share. Shrugging at the silence, she tried a different angle. "So, why do you come on this women's weekend only to go off on your own for the majority of it?"

"I have been friends with these women for a long time. During our pedagogue years at Hogwarts, we would often gather in the teachers' lounge to play cards, share a drink, and lament over the students." Minerva smirked pointedly, bringing a small smile to Hermione's lips. "Since we retired, we are not afforded that accessible companionship. We must make time for each other. Poppy, being the mother hen that she is, devised this weekend idea along with a number of other dinners and outings throughout the year. I am very fond of each of them; however, my requirement for reconnecting is fulfilled in the first afternoon."

"You know, it is truly amazing what you accomplished as the headmistress of Hogwarts when you are such an introvert."

"I am extremely thankful for Filius."

"Why?"

"He knew when I needed recovery time and was always willing to step in and cover my duties. Usually after a week of ministry and board meetings, he would send me home and take the weekend in my stead."

"Another mystery of Minerva McGonagall explained. You really are quite the enigma."

"You always had an innate ability to read me. When you would join me for tea, you could always tell when I needed quiet or when I was up for conversation. I appreciated that."

"I never really thought about it. But, I guess I did just know sometimes to grab a book and shut up." Hermione watched Minerva for a few moments attempting to read the woman. "Why did you let me stay?"

"I'm sorry?"

"When you were exhausted and in need of restoration, why did you not simply refuse me?"

"With everything you were facing, and don't for a moment think I was unaware of your trials, I treasured every second I had with you. You were a bright star in a world of darkness. It would have harmed me more to send you away. And if you walked away each evening with but a fraction of the solace I acquired from our visits, I knew you would not fail."

Hermione grinned at Minerva's estimation. Suddenly feeling the need to give some kind of gift to her bunkmate, she voiced a proposition, "Do you have a chessboard in this yurt?"

"In fact I do." Minerva mirrored Hermione's smile.

The sun had time to rise and burn through the clouds before Hermione dragged herself out of bed. Gathering the few things she brought, she paused when she spotted the chessboard. A flashback of Minerva laughing exuberantly over Hermione's woeful strategy sent a tingle of delighted contentment through her.

Pushing the tent door flap aside, she stepped out to find the other tents were gone. "Where…"

"Ah, so, you are still alive. I was beginning to wonder." Minerva called from her seat by the smoldering fire pit.

"What time is it?"

"Half eleven."

"What time did we go to sleep?"

"You finally passed out about five."

"Do you ever sleep?"

"I managed a few hours."

"Where is everyone?"

"The girls have all returned to their lives."

"Already?"

"Poppy led the exodus. She proclaimed the weekend a success but needed to get home for some fabricated reason involving Malcolm. I can't say I was really listening."

"You are such a good friend."

"She understands. Anyway, they all decided to follow suit and ran away."

"Well, thank you for not deserting me."

"Ms. Granger, what kind of host would I be to leave you abandoned in the middle of nowhere? Tea?"

"Please." Hermione settled on the ground next to Minerva's camp chair.

"There is another chair…"

"This is fine."

After a few moments of contemplative peace, Minerva arched an eyebrow in question, "What?"

"Your hair is down."

"And?"

"It gives you a very different appearance. I like it."

"Well, thank you."

"I mean, I've noticed nowadays you wear it more often in a braid or loose up-do, not that severe teacher bun, but this really gives you a feral character."

"And now I shall forevermore feel self-conscious when I leave it down."

"Oh don't. It isn't bad. It's actually quite beautiful."

Hermione blushed at her words and hid her face when Minerva laughed.

"Another step away from 'Professor McGonagall'."

When they finished their tea, Minerva magically broke camp, banishing the yurt and supplies to storage and scattering the rocks of the fire ring. When all evidence of their weekend had vanished, she opened her arms once again to Hermione, sighing contentedly when the younger woman stepped into the embrace.

"Thank you for a lovely weekend."

"Thank you for agreeing to join us. Your presence added a fresh sense of festivity to an event that had been getting stodgy."

"In that case, I am thrilled I could offer you all an outlet for your wicked harassment."

Minerva threw her head back in a bark of laughter. "To that extent, you were a blessing. Poppy so loves to tease a newbie."

"As much as I love being here with you, I need to go. I have dinner with Harry and Ginny."

"Of course." Minerva released Hermione, letting her palm slide down an exposed arm to grasp a hand. She gave Hermione's fingers a gentle squeeze before disengaging with a roguish wink and disapparating.

Hermione stood in the clearing for a few minutes, memorizing sights and sounds and wishing she had a pensieve to use. Finally, with a turn, she disapparated.