A/N: We're just gonna roll with it, ok?

-0-

The walk back to her rooms was not quite as Minerva had expected. As soon as they exited the Hospital Wing, they were greeted by a young student that plucked up the courage to both appreciate that his Headmistress was recovered but also to regale her with tales of her superior flying. She listened patiently, meeting Hermione's eyes a time or two as they grinned at each other over his head.

Eventually, it was Hermione that saved them.

"I, too, am glad that Headmistress McGonagall is fine, but I do need to get her home so she can rest."

The young lad squeaked an apology and ran off to join his classmates. They waited until he was a respectful distance away before they burst into laughter.

"I had no idea the love I could procure."

"It is clearly universal," Hermione smiled.

They walked with their arms brushing against each other's, but Minerva didn't want that. She purposefully reached for Hermione's hand as they paused on the stairs and Hermione looked at her sideways before she changed their grip so they were entwined further. They didn't speak again until they were well away from the student body and into the corridors that housed the Professors.

"I love you, Hermione. I cannot help but think about when I might have started falling in love with you and I keep coming back to one moment. I cannot say it was that moment exactly but it was the beginning. A moment that changed how I looked at you. That made me, at least partially, aware."

"Oh?" Hermione smiled demurely as they walked slowly. "And when was that?"

"Quite a little after you, I'm afraid." Hermione opened her mouth to protest, but Minerva knew what she was going to say and headed her off. "You asked me to dance," Minerva whispered. "You were quite drunk, but you asked me to dance at the Ministry Ball, the year the war ended. And when we danced, you demanded I do it properly." Hermione blushed and hid her face in Minerva's shoulder. "As a lover would."

"I was so drunk that night," Hermione conceded. "But I remember that moment like it was yesterday."

"You wound yourself around me and we swayed to the music. You looked so sad when it finished and the speeches started."

"I'd been working up the courage all evening," Hermione revealed. "And just as I found the strength, and started to enjoy it, it was over."

"We shall attend so many more Ministry Balls, love. I shall save the last dance for you," Minerva paused. "For the rest of my life, if you'll have me."

"I love you," Hermione whispered as they started down the last set of steps.

They made it inside with little fanfare and Minerva was ordered immediately to the sofa.

"Might we lay in bed? It is forward to ask you into my bed so soon but I don't have the magic or the strength to extend the sofa and I would love for you to join me while I rest.

"Alright," Hermione chuckled. "I agree it is an unconventional way to get me into bed, but I'll allow it."

Minerva laughed and pulled her through to her room.

"Please make yourself comfortable. If you don't mind, I'd like to shower?" The stickiness between her legs was becoming uncomfortable now that she'd walked the length of the castle. "Please. Take your leisure. There is nothing in my rooms that is off-limits to you."

"I'm not going to snoop through your underwear drawer, Min." Hermione snorted. "Go, I'll be here when you are through."

Minerva turned to leave, then remembered that she had revealed her heart to this woman and she turned back - a little too sharply for her head. She wobbled and Hermione was beside her in a flash. After a moment to settle the dizziness, Minerva kissed her deeply and pulled away just as quickly.

"You tear my world asunder." Hermione laughed and Minerva was charmed that she would indulge her poor sense of humour. "I won't ever forget again that I am allowed to do that now."

"You ham. Go. And be careful - for the love of Merlin, don't slip. The minute you might need me, call out to me, okay? No matter the reason."

"I will," Minerva smiled in thanks and disappeared into the bathroom.

She dropped her clothes with very little thought once the door was closed and she spent a long moment staring at herself. Her eye was blown, it was completely red at this point and Minerva wondered how Hermione could even look at her. She catalogued the scar on her temple and nodded in agreement with Poppy's earlier comment. The thin scar - testament to Poppy and Hermione's magical prowess - still pink against her pale skin, would simply join the others she had with little consequence. She glanced at her shoulder and winced at the deep bruising and raw-looking wound; it was quite a different wound to the other one.

She stared at it for a long time, trying to decide whether she would heal it, or leave it there to add weight to her story.

She decided to leave it, and conscious of the time she was taking, showed quickly and did her best to sort her hair before she cracked the door open. She exited carefully, in case Hermione was asleep after all their excitement, but she found the young woman curled up under her covers, staring into space.

"Permission to join you?"

"Minerva," Hermione chuckled as she blinked up at her. "I am in your bed!"

"A fact I have pinched myself over more than once in the last few moments."

Hermione laughed and turned down the covers for her. She slid in and they sat quietly for a moment before Minerva realised she was going to have to come clean, even if it damaged what they had tentatively started building. Hermione, as usual, found her voice first.

"You are eating yourself up inside over something, aren't you?"

"I -" Minerva sighed. "Was just thinking that, yes. Before we begin this, I must tell you so much. About myself and my -" She winced. "Person."

"Oh?" Hermione smiled. "And what is it your person wishes to tell me?"

"You rotter," Minerva groaned as she reached over and poked her middle. Hermione laughed as Minerva scooted down under the covers. She turned to face Hermione, being careful of her head. "I don't know in which order to tell you. I don't know whether to tell you about what happened while I was unconscious or about myself. Both have the potential to drive you away."

"How about an assurance from me that I won't be driven away by you telling me that your Animagus traits bleed into your human life?" Minerva's mouth dropped open. She stared as Hermione chuckled and snuggled closer. "Are you going to tell me that your proclivities extend to your sex life?" Minerva couldn't speak so she didn't. She stared at Hermione, who smiled softly and traced her features. "Did I guess correctly?"

"How did you -"

"I should confess something to you," she whispered. "I have been in love with you for a very long time." Minerva blinked. "And because I have been in love with you for a very long time, I have watched you -" She blushed deeply. "Probably a little too much at times."

The big weight that Minerva carried around in her chest seemed to pop and float away. Instead of demanding answers, Minerva cupped Hermione's cheek and let her thumb rub the very pink skin there.

"You've been spying on me?" she teased.

Hermione laughed joyously, but Minerva could only stare.

"I am not quite so dastardly," Hermione chuckled. "I promise I haven't been spying, but when you pay attention to someone for long enough, you notice patterns emerging. Like the way your pupils change shape." She traced an eyebrow. "Just a little, every 3 weeks or so in the spring -" She paused. "And after some reading once I realised, I imagine through the summer as well, well away from prying eyes?"

Minerva snorted.

"Not quite every three weeks, thank you."

Hermione laughed.

"Less as you get older?"

"No jokes about my age, woman."

Hermione seemed to inch impossibly closer as she reached to trace her thumb down Minerva's nose. That same nose took a deep breath as Hermione's familiar, enticing, scent filled her senses.

"You get more sensitive to smells and quite frankly, you beautiful witch, you get so very, very, irritable. Like a -" Hermione smirked and Minerva rolled her eyes, already knowing where it was going. "Cat on a hot tin roof!"

"Why you -"

She rolled them and tickled Hermione gently while she nuzzled under her chin. Without meaning to, she nibbled the skin there and pressed kisses to ease the sting. Hermione's peals of laughter made her smile and she smoothed her hands over the beautiful body beneath her and sighed.

"Yes. My Animagus causes me to do," she sighed. "And want and need things at certain times of the year that a partner would need to be aware of."

"I take it you don't tell many people?"

"I have told a sum total of 1."

Hermione blinked and looked up at her carefully.

"But -" She looked horrified. "You've never told anyone?"

"Hermione," she sighed. She rubbed her head bashfully and winced when it hurt. "I have not had many truly meaningful relationships. Even fewer that I would reveal that to."

"But! You must have told someone?" Her eyes widened as Minerva made a face. "Weren't you married? Please don't tell me you never told -" She paused. "Him? Her?"

Minerva chuckled and settled against Hermione's chest and refused to question herself.

"Him. And no, I didn't."

Hermione stared at her; she could feel the woman's eyes on her. Minerva felt her cheeks heating up until she could stand it no longer. She buried her face in Hermione's neck and hid for a while. Her eyelids fluttered as Hermione started running her fingers through her hair.

"Minerva," she said so sadly. "You lived with a man, married him, made love to him and he didn't know?"

"I was old when we married," Minerva whispered. "I did not need to tell him, he was more than agreeable when I simply suggested things now and then."

"Oh Min," Hermione sighed. "I'm so sorry that you've dealt with this on your own for so long."

"Well," she shrugged. "It was what it was. I was alone by choice until I wasn't. I," she sighed. "To be honest, I have never found anyone that I trust like I do, you."

"Well, then I am more than glad," Hermione whispered. "I want that open honesty with you. I want to be able to speak my mind and have you do the same." Minerva tried not to wince at the thought. "While you're all bashful about that, what happened while you were unconscious? What was this dream you had that put you in such a state?"

Minerva stilled and she took a shuddering breath. She didn't want to tell her, now that she'd realised the true depth of her feelings. She didn't want to lose Hermione over anything.

"There is nothing you could tell me that would make me leave you, Min," Hermione whispered. "You're mine, now. And I plan to keep you." Minerva shivered and started to move away. "No, don't go anywhere, you hide right there and just tell me."

"Hermione -"

"Minerva? Tell me."

Minerva sighed and closed her eyes. Hermione held her tightly, and slid her hand back into her hair to hold her where she was. It was the final piece Minerva needed to give her the freedom to simply speak.

And she did so.

She told Hermione what had happened in embarrassingly stark detail. She went on and on until her voice cracked and she fell silent. Hermione sighed and let the silence lengthen before she spoke.

"I'm going to ask a few questions for clarity, okay?" Minerva shrugged. "How do you know it wasn't just a dream?"

"I thought the same thing," Minerva whispered. "Until I felt the evidence and then, later, saw it with my own eyes."

"What?"

Minerva leaned up on her elbow and pulled her collar away.

"Oh my god! Minerva!" Hermione traced around it with her fingers. "She really did a number on you, didn't she!" Hermione whispered a spell and Minerva almost protested but she bit her tongue instead. Hermione noticed immediately. "Oh, my beautiful witch," Hermione chuckled as she nuzzled the better side of Minerva's head and dropped her voice to a low growl. "I'm not having another woman's teeth on you, no matter who the woman is and what timeline she's from. If you want that, you'll get it from me, and me alone."

Minerva froze as her body clenched hard. She tried very hard to pretend like it hadn't, but apparently, Hermione was far more in tune with her than the other way.

"Oh," Hermione said softly. "That is an interesting reaction?" Minerva shook her head but Hermione didn't let her hide, this time. "Min? Talk to me?" Minerva clamped her lips together. Hermione refused to allow that. "Min?" Hermione said softly. She turned them gently and settled face to face. Minerva couldn't meet her eyes, but Hermione moved so they would. "There is nothing you can say to me that you should feel embarrassed about. Your needs, day to day, and your needs after the day is done, when we are alone at night? They are my priority. I want you to have them and I want to be the one that fulfills them. Do you understand?"

"I'm not an animal," Minerva croaked. "I shouldn't -"

"I know you are not an animal," Hermione whispered. "I do not plan on treating you like one. But if there is something that you want from me, all you have to do is indicate it to me and I will do everything within my power to give it to you, do you understand?" Minerva remained mute and Hermione gave up, or Minerva thought most likely, let her get away with it. "Come on, I think a nap for us. You've apparently been busy instead of resting, so I bet we would both benefit from a proper one."

"You're not upset?" Minerva finally spoke before she realised she didn't mean to.

"Upset?" Hermione smiled down at her indulgently. "How can I be upset that your head injury knocked you into another dimension? The fact that I could make love to you with all the experience that I, in this realm do not have, is incredible for you. I could not do that, so the fact that you could experience that only makes me happy for you! And knowing that there's a possibility of what is to come makes me happy too. I cannot wait to experience this life with you, Minerva, whether it happens the same or not. I only want to make you happy."

"You do!" Minerva croaked in protest. "You -"

Hermione kissed her hotly and Minerva could not help but get lost in it.

"That was not a criticism." Minerva blushed and hid her face in her hands. She'd been alive for so very long and in one afternoon this young woman had made her feel so very juvenile. "Why don't you rest with me. If, at any point, you would like something from me, you let me know, okay?"

"I -" Hermione looked down at her as their eyes met. "I don't know how."

Hermione pressed a long, lingering kiss to her forehead.

"When it's time, I think you will."

Minerva took another shuddering breath and Hermione pulled her closer so that there was no room between them.

"Sleep, my beautiful witch. Just sleep for now."