A/N: Apologies for the lateness. I'm technically on holiday/vacation but wifey has worked all day and I've been sitting around feeling sorry for myself instead. So here we are instead. Gonna take a swerve here for a bit but hey ho. Roll with it :P

-0-

"Um, Hermione?"

"Yup?" she called, in the middle of a passage on the extended usage of Crup whiskers. She didn't turn, although she knew that Draco had been down in the Chamber of Secrets like everyone else but was yet to come out of his room except go to class.

"Can I," he hesitated and she sighed internally. She put her thumb in her book and turned.

"What's up?"

"I just," he sighed. "I've been talking with Uncle Sev and he," he winced but Hermione was too busy trying to imagine Severus as an Uncle whose name would be shortened. "Quite rightly, says I owe you a huge thank you."

"Draco -"

"No, I mean it. I think everything was going so wrong and then I didn't really know what to do." She smiled supportively. "I just, thank you."

"You are welcome," she smiled. "I know we have lots of stuff still to do but I've been trying to give you the time to come to terms with everything."

"Thank you," he said genuinely. "I've actually been trying to figure out how to write to Mum. I'd like to warn her, or perhaps even get her to start emptying the library."

"Can we make up a code? Something she can crack just because it's you?"

"I," he blushed to his hair. "I think Muggles have something they can do with a book?"

"They do," she smiled. She did not point out the hypocrisy. They were turning over a new leaf, after all. "An Ottendorf cipher. Do you have a book in mind?"

"Um, yeah," he whispered. "There's a kids book she used to read to me. She will know the one I mean."

"Alright, we need two letters. One to tell her what book to get and one with the message. What's the name of the book?"

"Um," he blushed again. "The Little Dragon Who Could."

Hermione looked at him quizzically and then laughed. His face dropped but she shook her head and reached for his hand.

"Oh, no, please, I'm not in any way laughing at you," she chuckled. "There is a Muggle book in a similar vein. The Little Engine That Could. I had no idea they simply transposed. I wonder which was first," she smiled. Draco managed a small chuckle but Hermione could tell he was a little bothered by it. She reached forward and took his hand. "I promise you, I was not laughing at you. I know how that feels, I would not do that." He cracked and sobbed into his hands. "Oh Draco," she said softly.

She got up and went to his side. She did not reach for his hand but she looped her arm in his while they sat. It was how Minerva found them not too long later.

"Oh," Minerva's tone made Hermione's skin prickle and she looked over to see why. The tops of Minerva's cheeks were turning red and Hermione, once more, sighed internally.

"Min," she said gently. "How was your day?"

"Rather well, until now," she snapped.

Draco stood up quickly and wiped his cheeks.

"Um, I'll get you those things," he said quietly. "As soon as possible." He ducked out of the way of Minerva and raced back to his room.

Hermione, however, sat back and looked at her love.

"That was rude and uncalled for."

"That was -"

"Rude, and absolutely uncalled for," Hermione repeated. "I have just severed him from his entire life and we've left his mother in the hands of the enemy. The enemy we are not yet equipped to face. He is entitled to cry and he is entitled to my comfort while he does."

"And yet -"

"Minerva, what the hell is wrong with you?"

"With me?" she hissed incredulously.

"Stop," Hermione said as she stood up. "Whatever your current mood and thoughts are, I'd like you to get over them very quickly. To suggest I have any sort of feelings for Draco is laughable and I resent that you imagine that after all this bullshit we've been through, you'd think I'd just decide Draco is the guy for me now." She dropped her voice to a dangerous hiss to avoid them being overheard. "Did you forget that we bought a house? Did you forget that you stripped me bare in your classroom or that I held you in the bathtub while you cried? You think I do those things for everybody?"

Minerva looked a little sheepish by the time Hermione had finished and picked at her fingernails for a while before she stood straighter and clasped her hands behind her back.

"I apologise."

"For what?"

Minerva gave her a look but Hermione would not be moved. She wanted Minerva to understand how stupid her decision had been.

"For imagining you were harbouring any sort of feelings for your classmate."

"Minerva," Hermione snapped. "Stop it."

"I am only -"

Hermione stood up and walked over to her where she pressed Minerva against the door frame.

"You imagine that I lived through Minerva McGonagall's absolute vitriol to turn around and fuck someone else?" Hermione hissed against her ear. "You think that when I say I love you, Min, what I actually mean is 'I love you for now'?" Minerva blinked as a tear meandered down her face and Hermione stepped away so she could calm down. "Min, what is going on?"

"I -" Her breath wobbled.

"Min? Please, talk to me. Because I'm losing my fucking mind."

"You would be better with -"

Hermione kissed her hard as she pressed her back up against the frame. Minerva's arms wrapped around her so tightly, Hermione frowned as they kissed. Tears were streaming down Minerva's face.

"Hey," she said as she pulled away. She took a deep breath and calmed as she felt just how much fear Minerva had right now. "Hey. I'm right here, what is going on? I'm right here, mo ghaol. I haven't changed, haven't gone anywhere? What's going on?"

"I -" She shook her head but Hermione needed to know. She stepped away and tugged on Minerva's hands walking her back to their room where she closed the door and curled around Minerva's back.

"What's going on? What's happened?"

"Nothing," she muttered. "I was being stupid."

"Your actions were bizarre but I don't, for one moment, think you're stupid."

Minerva remained mute but Hermione wasn't having it.

"Hey," she said, turning her love. "Talk to me."

"I miss you," Minerva whispered. She remained steadfastly looking down at the ground until Hermione ducked into her eye line.

"You missed me so you thought I was fucking Draco?"

"Don't be so crass," she snapped.

"Why," Hermione asked sharply. "That's what you thought."

"No, that's not what I -" She paused. "I did not mean to make it seem as though I thought -"

"Minerva," Hermione groaned.

Minerva hid her face in her hands.

"I am sorry," she whispered. "I am so, so, sorry."

Hermione let it sit for just a moment before she caved.

"What just happened?"

"I came down here intending to invite you to dinner. And then you were on the floor with him and I -"

"And you what, babe?"

"Babe?" Minerva gasped, completely affronted. Hermione couldn't help it, she burst out laughing and after a few moments, Minerva did too. "I do not think I am anyone's babe," she laughed.

"No," Hermione smiled. She tucked a strand of Minerva's loosening hair behind her ear. "I don't suppose you are."

She drew Minerva with her as she stepped further into the room and sat on the bed. She pulled Minerva between her knees and pressed a long kiss against her belly.

"Now," she said quietly. She looked up at Minerva with all the love she had for her shining in her eyes. "Please don't ever do that again. I have male friends. I have friends my age, you've never reacted like that before and you don't ever need to do so again. There is nobody, Minerva, in this world except you."

Minerva slid her hands into Hermione's hair and breathed out slowly.

"I am genuinely sorry, Leannan."

"I accept your apology." Hermione slid her hands around to her arse. "For that, you can just enjoy this," she chuckled as she let her hands roam. She slid them up Minerva's sides and traced the outline of her breasts and then back down to her ass. Minerva bit her lip but Hermione didn't linger. She traced the shape of her arse then withdrew.

"Maybe we can pretend that you have just arrived down here and you can get on with whatever it was that you intended to do originally before," she waved towards the door. "All that."

"I miss you," Minerva said bluntly. "I would like to have dinner with you if you are free?"

"I am free," Hermione smiled. "Where are we eating?"

"I had wondered if the Elves would cater to us, here?"

"Then I definitely accept," Hermione smiled. "We could have a picnic in bed?"

They stared at each other for a long while before Hermione felt a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"Hermione," Minerva warned. "Don't -"

"Don't?" Hermione asked. "Are you sure?"

"I don't even know what you want, but whatever it is," she said hurriedly. "That smile bodes ill."

"Don't tell me you haven't enjoyed yourself every time I've smiled at you?" She laughed and blinked innocently. "You should just let me have my way."

"Let you -"

Hermione held Minerva's thighs, picked the woman up, and spun, dropping her on the bed.

"No!" Minerva squealed, between peals of laughter. "Hermione!"

"Oh yes, my love," she grinned as she leaned over Minerva's body. "Yes. All the time, yes."

"You are a bloody menace," Minerva laughed as Hermione pressed her face into her stomach where she knew it would tickle a little. "Hermione!" She laughed as she held the back of Hermione's head against her belly. "Nothing but Trouble."

"Your Trouble," Hermione kissed up her body softly. "Yours."

"All mine," she whispered. They kissed slowly and when they pulled away, Hermione could tell Minerva felt a little better.

"Are you done with work now?"

"I have had as much as I can stand," she sighed. "For today."

"Then let me suggest a shower and a change of clothes. Then we'll have dinner?"

"I thought I was inviting you?"

"You still are," Hermione smiled. "But you have clearly lost your mind, so I'm just adding direction."

Minerva rolled her eyes and lay back. Hermione settled on top of her and placed her head on her chest, above her heart. She traced the back of Minerva's hand with her fingers and then slid them together and kissed her knuckles.

"You and me, baby."

"Stop that," Minerva chuckled.

"I'm just reminding you that I love you endlessly. And that this is literally for eternity and at no point am I ever going to waiver from you, Min. Not ever."

"I am sorry I reacted like that," Minerva whispered. "I think I had a moment where all those insecurities came back. Draco is a good match for you, he is intelligent, good-looking -"

"Minerva McGonagall," Hermione chuckled as she leaned on her chest. "In what universe do you think Draco Malfoy is a better match for me than you are? I mean, completely putting aside the fact that this Dracovir or whatever he said it was, has decided that you are my destined mate, how can you possibly believe he would be better?"

"I -"

"See how silly it sounds," she grinned.

"I do now."

"I know," Hermione teased as she snuggled forward and kissed Minerva's neck. "Remember what Amalle asked you?"

"No," she huffed. Her hand rubbed at her forehead and Hermione trapped it and pressed it above her head on the bed.

"They asked you if you'd completed the bond."

"Oh," Minerva whispered. She tried to pull her hand away but Hermione held on. If Minerva really wanted to pull away, she could do so, but instead, she stopped trying and lay still. "I do recall, now."

"Lucia also said to you that you would never have to wonder. Remember that?" She watched Minerva's eyes dilate and she swallowed nervously. She nodded and Hermione smoothed her cheek against Minerva's. "When we are ready, mo ghaol," Hermione whispered in her ear. "You will never, ever, question my love for you again. Because every breath, every beat of my heart is for you."

Minerva's free arm went to Hermione's hair and they kissed desperately for a while before Minerva's stomach rumbled.

"That's a change," Hermione grinned as she pulled away. "Did you eat lunch?" She shook her head. "Minerva," she chastised gently. "Alright, shower after dinner? Or do you want a snack while we change and do all that?"

"Just dinner, I think." She sighed. "I am about done with today."

"Dinner and a cuddle then?"

Minerva moaned.

"I would really love that, Leannan."

"Good. What do you want?"

"Anything."

"You're hangry."

"I was -" Minerva blinked. "I beg your pardon?"

"You were hungry-angry," Hermione chuckled. "It happens, don't worry about it. Good to note for me though. I get hangry too, remember?"

"You young people are absolutely nonsensical at times, you know."

Hermione rolled off her, still laughing as she pulled Minerva up and called for an elf.

-0-

They had weathered the storm well, though even now two days later, Minerva was still feeling embarrassed about the whole thing. She had tried to apologise again, the next morning, but Hermione had distracted her and kissed her until Minerva's whole body was trembling. She flushed, now, knowing that had Hermione touched her in any way further, she would have made a rather embarrassing spectacle of herself.

She groaned and threw down her quill so she could rub the memories out of her eyes. She did not need to be fidgeting in her chair for the rest of the day.

"You are tired," Michael said quietly. "Feumaidh tu fois." [You need rest.]

"Among other things, I have double the amount of work to do and my dreams keep me awake," she sighed. "This is my life at the end of term."

"You have less strength to keep the nightmares at bay."

"Quite," she sighed.

"Being a leader is hard," he counselled. "It requires us to be stronger than we can be sometimes."

"Indeed. How about you? What is happening," she waved her hand. "Out there."

"Oh, endless mischief," he chuckled. "As there always is when they have nothing to do. It will be peaceful when they leave tomorrow. Has Hermione told you her plan?"

"No?" she blinked. "In fact, she's been with the others since yesterday, as far as I know?

"Indeed. She is on her way up to the Common Room as we speak. The Weasleys are going to see their family, young Harry is off to see his own."

"I'm sorry?"

"He's going to Grimmauld Place."

"Oh," she nodded.

"I believe Hermione intends to go with him."

"What?" He faltered and she realised he hadn't quite thought this whole thing through. "I will talk to her," she said dubiously. "No doubt she intended to tell me herself."

"My lady, I didn't -"

"It's fine," she muttered. "I will go up there now."

She pushed back from her desk and left on a mission, where she spent the journey up there considering what Michael had told her. She nodded to a few students who looked far too innocent to have been doing nothing before she walked up, but she didn't really care. As long as they weren't setting fire to the library books, the consequences of their actions could be their own. By the time she got to the Tower, she was more than a little annoyed that Hermione hadn't informed her, herself.

She was just about to unload a significant portion of her ire onto the Portrait when it opened and her love's riotous hair preceded the rest of her form. She blinked as she looked up and then smiled so widely that Minerva could not help but return it.

"Hey! I was just coming to find you. Are you here for -"

"You," she muttered.

"Good, wanna walk?"

"Fine."

Hermione gave her a look but Minerva did her best to school her features as they meandered away from the commonly frequented areas.

"Are you hangry again?"

Minerva growled and Hermione chuckled as they entered the lesser-used corridors of the South Tower.

"Were you going to tell me?"

"Tell you what?"

"That you're leaving."

Whatever she had expected, it was not Hermione laughing as she pulled away.

"Oh, Min." Minerva watched her sigh and rub her face while she gathered her thoughts. "Whatever this whole jealousy thing you've got going on right now is, I'm going to need you to get over it. It's tiring."

"Tiring?" Minerva hissed. "Me?"

"Yes," Hermione sighed. "You. I spend literally every waking moment trying to make sure that you understand that I'm deeply in love with you and every tiny thing that you have heard this week has been blown out of proportion. It's -" She pressed against her face. "Exhausting."

"I -"

"I don't know how else to show you that I am yours and you are mine," she said quietly. "Short of," she laughed but it hurt Minerva somewhere in her chest. "Actually, I don't even know. I have done everything I can think of. I've taken the hits and the blows and the anger. I've eased you through your history and the hurt and you've held me while I've gone through mine. I don't understand why this week it's so," she looked up at Minerva and Minerva felt the guilt squelch in her stomach. "Present."

"I -"

"Do you not see how," she shrugged. "Ridiculous this all is? I'm trying to make sure that everyone in our family is fine. You're busy, I get that, but I have things to do as well, Min and I need to do them. Draco," she made a face. "If his mother wasn't so important to him, I don't doubt I'd be watching him day in, day out while he works through this to try and make sure that he doesn't do anything drastic. Severus is a walking Edward Munch painting. The pain coming off that man is unbearable and through it all, Harry is just sitting here, contemplating the fact that he's going to have to be fucking murdered in order for the world to be righted again. And on top of THAT!" She was shouting now and Minerva felt every single word as a barb to her skin. "He is terrified to go back to the one person who he loves above everyone else cos he's fucking a goddamn werewolf and they're all emotionally stunted and I'm TRYING MINERVA."

She realised she'd erred again and she sat on the windowsill and leaned against the window. She pulled at the collar of her robes and then unbuttoned them all together. The heat up in the tower was as oppressive as the feelings she was fighting.

"I know you are," Minerva sighed. "And I'm sorry. I -" She sighed again. "I do not know why I am fighting this, all of a sudden. I am worried that -" She hesitated. "I am, I -"

"Min," Hermione sighed. The sadness in her voice made Minerva frown. "I can't fight you. Not now. I don't," she blew out a long breath. "I don't have it in me. I want to be with you. I've set up my whole year, my whole existence, to make sure that happens. And I'm not," she shrugged. "I'm not passing judgement, I know why this was on me to do, but I've done nothing but accommodate you. I've tried to be everything you need and I need you to just -" Minerva's stomach felt very hollow as she realised the truth. "I need you to simply trust me. Like you've done admirably for the last however many months. I'm not sure if it's something I've done? Or maybe -"

"No," Minerva said quickly. "No, it's not -"

"Then what, love? What's changed? Before I lose my damn mind."

Minerva stared at her and saw the exhaustion pulling on her eyes and felt horrible. She got up and went over to her and nudged her sideways so she could join her on the sill she was on.

"I apologise. Unequivocally for the last few days," she sighed. She slid her hand into Hermione's and pressed a kiss to the back of it. "I -" She shook her head. "I am stressed and tired and exhausted and I shouldn't be taking that out on you and I'm just," she looked into Hermione's eyes. "I'm just sorry, Leannan. I have no excuse. I have behaved poorly."

Hermione leaned against her and sighed. Minerva shifted and wrapped her arms around her and kissed her hair.

"I'm so sorry, love."

"Just trust me," she whispered as she gripped Minerva's forearms. "If you can't do anything else, just trust me."

"I will," Minerva nodded against the back of her head. "I do."

They sat in the warmth of the tower for a long while until Hermione stood and rolled her neck.

"Okay, again, pretending like that didn't happen." Something crossed her face and she rolled her eyes. "I'm also going to tell Michael to mind his damn business. Anyway," she continued. "Min, I am going with Harry to Grimmauld Place," she said softly. "I'm only going so that I can try and help him and Sirius figure out this new thing between them and how to navigate them doing the whole three-together thing. I'm not staying longer than maybe one night and I don't really even want to do that. It will be the first time we've been that far away from each other for any length of time and I wasn't going to go without telling you." Minerva really did feel terrible now. "I'm not going to the new Weasley residence, no matter how many times I am invited. I'm not interested in spending time with Molly although Harry is going to go over there once he feels like he's settled at Grimmauld. He is going to help them look for the Locket first though."

"Good," Minerva said. Her voice caught in her throat but she nodded anyway.

"Once that's done, I'm going to spend some time with Draco -" She gave Minerva a very pointed look. "Making a map of Malfoy Manor so that we have an easier time of getting to Mrs Malfoy when it's time to get her out. He's written a few letters that we've already put in code so at least she knows we're on our way."

"Darling -"

"Then!" Hermione said over the top of her. "At some point, I need to figure out if I even passed this year, I was barely in class and took no exams but Merlin knows how that's going to go, but!" She paused dramatically. "All that aside, and after all that is put away, I'd like to find some uninterrupted time with you cos I'm going mental here and I feel like if we don't, we may end up screaming at each other."

"We won't do that, sweetheart." Minerva got up and traced Hermione's face. She was sweating from the heat and Minerva found herself tracing her fingers through the beautiful golden sheen on her face. "We won't. I am in the wrong here, but I will do my best and be better for us," she kissed Hermione softly. "For you."

"Min -"

"I'm serious," she whispered. "I will do better. I equally have a lot of work to do. As Albus is flitting between the Ministry and here tomorrow I must host the leaving feast and put everyone on the train. We must release the owls for the year, clear the corridors to the Common Rooms, and shut the rest down." Hermione's interest was piqued and Minerva chuckled at the look in her eyes. "Then we must shut down our classrooms, I must return all the animals that I have and Severus must seal up all the cauldrons and then," she continued. "We must do reports and get them finished and sent. That usually takes about the whole week so by the time you are done with your cartography, we should be done as well. I must also gather the damage reports from the battle and make sure there's nothing we need to address now or whether it can wait until the majority of us are gone for the year."

"Do they leave?"

"Some do," Minerva admitted. "Filius and Pomona often travel to see their children, though they do not have a second home. Charity, Septima and Aurora have extended families that live close by so they go and stay with them, normally. Albus and I usually stay. Severus stays, as do Sybil and Hagrid of course. Irma has already left this year. She is on a cruise."

"Who's manning the library?"

"Severus is checking on it now and then," Minerva chuckled. "Mostly, the books are locked away, it is only returning books as the students pack their trunks."

"Oh, I think she did that the first year I was here too?"

"Probably," Minerva nodded. The pain in her stomach was easing as their conversation eased as well. "And darling?" she said quietly. She waited until Hermione looked at her. "Of course, you passed, regardless of your attendance and your lack of exams. This year you seemed to have, once again, topped your classes."

"But thats' -"

Minerva put her fingers over Hermione's lips and chuckled when she pouted and licked them in protest.

"Cheeky. Have you had lunch?"

"Yes," Hermione smiled. "Have you?"

"Admittedly no, but I am going to get some now. Then tonight we will feast and tomorrow the train leaves at eleven. There are a few that will be picked up from the gates but Filius usually sorts those."

"So we're good then?" Hermione asked quietly.

"We are, my love."

Hermione sighed and wrapped her arms around Minerva's shoulders. They held each other tightly until Minerva stepped back and kissed her. It built and built until they were both panting through their noses and Hermione physically stepped away.

"My god Min, you can kiss."

The ridiculous nature of their entire interaction over the last two days made Minerva laugh and she doubled over as she kept laughing. She shook her head and pulled Hermione back in and held her carefully.

"I love you, Leannan. Tha gaol agam ort."

"I love you," Hermione breathed. "So much."

"Na h-uimhir."

"Why does this language not make any sense," Hermione chuckled as they swayed together.

"You'll get better the more I teach you."

"You'll have to get on with it then," Hermione giggled. "There seems to be a lot to cover."

"What was it you said to me," Minerva whispered. "We have our whole lives?"

Hermione hummed and kissed her again before she pulled away completely.

"You okay now?"

"Yes, again, I am sorry." Hermione waved it off, but Minerva caught her hand. "No, I mean it. I am sorry, sweetheart. You are absolutely right and I will do better."

"Alright," she nodded. "So tomorrow I think we're taking the train so I'll come and see you before I go?"

"I shall be with you tonight unless you are opposed?"

"Oh," Hermione blushed. "Yes, I'll see you later then."

"Would you prefer to sleep up here? Or are you better down in the Chamber?"

"No, let's sleep up here," Hermione nodded. "So I'll come to you just before lights out. I know you'll have a duty -"

"Only until ten. The others can manage."

"As long as -"

"They'll manage. If I'm not back, you go on to bed and I'll join you."

"'Kay," Hermione sighed. "I love you."

"And I, you, my darling. Have a good afternoon."

Hermione pressed a last kiss against Minerva's lips and left without a backwards glance. Minerva stared at the spot where she'd been for far too long before following her footsteps down from the tower and back to her office. Michael didn't even ask for a password and opened it quickly so she could enter.

"I'm sorry -"

"It was on me, not you," Minerva waved him off. "I should have behaved better."

"I should have kept my mouth shut."

"And yet," she smiled up at him. "You are my entry guardian and I would prefer you not to."

"As you wish, my lady."

He left her be and she slumped back into her chair, wincing as the hard wood fought back against such a slovenly display. She made a promise to herself, right then and there that she would do better. At the beginning of their relationship, she recalled thinking that Poppy was used to her outbursts so it wasn't a terrible thing that she had them. Hermione was not, nor should she ever bear the brunt of them either so she promised herself, and Hermione in her head, that she would do better. She had been spoiled by her family but this was different. She loved Hermione in a way that made her want to do better.

The thoughts of Poppy and Will brought forth more things that she had to do as well and she groaned and made a note on a spare bit of parchment to make sure she saw Poppy before she left for the year so they could arrange dinner.

There were not enough hours in the day.