A/N: Have we missed Poppy? I hope so, cos she's back for a chapter or two. She is fun, she presses Min to talk about all sorts of uncomfortable things!
-0-
"Do you want wine?" Minerva asked.
"Go on then," Poppy chuckled.
Minerva scoured the cupboards for some glasses and grabbed a bottle that Filius had left for her. They sat down on the sofas together and Minerva poured and they sipped in silence. They'd checked on Hermione and Minerva had given Poppy a tour of their little home and they'd ended up in the living room, in front of the big glass wall. Minerva prepared herself for Poppy's questions, knowing they were coming and knowing before she had even said a word, that they would be uncomfortable.
"So," Poppy said gleefully. "While the house is lovely," she glanced at Minerva. "And it is, inside and out. I'm actually thinking of asking Filius to come and do mine." Minerva snorted. "The real question is: what's it like?"
Minerva rolled her eyes.
"What's what like?"
"Life with Hermione! Buying a house and settling down? You laughed in Elphinstone's face the first time he asked you." Poppy got a grin on her face that Minerva didn't like at all. "What about all the sex!"
"Poppy!" Minerva choked.
"What!" She laughed. "You're covered in bruises, she's covered in bruises that have no bearing on who she duelled recently and I have never seen this light in your eyes. She must be very good."
Minerva spluttered.
"POPPY!"
Poppy grinned at her.
"The last time we spoke properly, you were umming and ahhing about what this would mean for you in the future. Now you're shacked up and rolling around in bed with her."
"For Merlin's sake!"
Poppy laughed, now.
"I'm just asking what it's like! She's a beautiful woman and," Poppy looked at her pointedly. "So are you. It must be good, at least? Fun?"
Minerva glanced at her and sat for a moment. She examined the absence of Hermione in her mind and where they were joined. She found a thread she'd never noticed before and she felt along it, blindly, only to find Hermione's mind. It was quiet, but fierce and Minerva knew then, for sure, that she was fine but would remain unconscious for a while longer. She sighed and sipped her wine, but instead of giving her an out, Poppy continued to look at her expectantly.
"Bloody hell, you've never asked me all this before! Where is this coming from?"
"I've never been interested, before," Poppy laughed. "And I knew the others. They were boring and so too would your sex life be." Minerva gaped at her. "Unless you want to tell me something to the contrary?" Minerva slammed her lips shut. "I didn't think so. You have such terrible taste in men, love."
"I do not! Poppy!"
Poppy laughed and poured more wine for them both. Minerva blushed as Poppy grinned at her and sat down beside her.
"So?"
She fought herself for a long time before she gave in.
"It is incredible," she muttered. "There, are you happy now?"
"Not in the slightest," Poppy smiled. "I'm interested in both the act of making love to a woman after being exclusively with men, but also sleeping with someone who cannot have had that much experience? I want details."
Minerva laughed and laughed and it took a while for her to be able to explain why.
"She is widely read," Minerva laughed, still.
Poppy made a face so Minerva expounded.
"Apparently she is a purveyor of saucy novels. So -" She was so red she could feel the heat in her face. "Her imagination is quite," she sipped her wine. "Expansive."
"Bloody hell," Poppy blinked. "Really?"
"I -"
She paused and cracked her neck taking care not to allow the empathy to return. Though this was not something she'd share with anyone, ordinarily, there was some comfort in Poppy's face. She sat there, expectantly, but not judging and Minerva gave in totally.
"I was scared, in the beginning, that I would have to teach her. That our," she cleared her throat. "Love would turn into something like our -" She sighed. "Previous existence. I think I had come to terms with being with her by pretending that we had never existed together before, but the concept of having to educate her was -" She swallowed. "Confronting."
"And?"
"I only had to lead her once and that was at her behest. I did not teach her anything. In fact -" She cleared her throat. "At times, I believe I am the one that has received an education."
"Hell!" Poppy grinned. "Is it -" She made a face. "That good?"
"Some days I cannot speak after. I -" She blushed deeply and shook her head. Memories of their most recent encounter made her squirm a little. And in doing so, nearly revealed her deepest secret to Poppy. She wasn't sure she was ready for that.
"You know you can tell me," Poppy said softly. Minerva often found Poppy to be very intuitive and she sighed as she looked over at her. "I was teasing you, for a moment, but it is not serious Min. And I will stop. I know you are," she chuckled and took Minerva's hand and sighed. "So very uncomfortable around this subject."
"Oh, it's not that," she chuckled. "I know you, I expected the teasing. But, to explain, I would have to explain everything save -"
"Do so," Poppy shrugged. "I'm here, I have time and I'm part of your thing, now." Minerva snorted. "There's no question I will keep your secrets."
"That was never in doubt, love," Minerva smiled and squeezed her hand. Poppy sighed and settled further into the cushions. "It is more than a little confronting, even now. With Hermione, I have desires that I have never had before. There are wants that feel like if I do not get them I will surely die."
"I know that feeling," Poppy grumbled. Minerva chuckled quietly. "Come on then. Will is on a 48 hour so there's nobody at home waiting for me." She kicked off her shoes and sat up to pick up her wine before she sat back. "Spill, woman."
Despite her reservations and with a thought-apology to Hermione, she did so. She told Poppy everything. From their experiences in each other's heads, to their not-quite arguments, to the visions and wants they had experienced while they made love.
"I know this situation is a little," she chewed her lip thoughtfully. "Different, or, no that's not what I mean -"
"Animalistic?" Minerva grumbled.
"Ha, yes if you like? I can't recall the word I was looking for now," Poppy shrugged. "But surely you could experiment adding things to your cooking now that you're through with the initial period? There are plenty of contraceptive methods available." Poppy grinned. "You know that as well as I do."
"We decided separately and then together that if our bond wanted something badly enough, it would simply do it, despite the methods we used to prevent it. This magic is greater than anything I've ever felt or seen. If we do not -" She cleared her throat. "Engage at all, it cannot even be a risk."
"Such practical, intelligent women," Poppy teased. "She could not do that for you in the meantime? Are you interested in the opposite?" She grinned and turned to lean on the back of the sofa.
"Merlin, no." Minerva chuckled. "I mean, yes." She blushed. "I am interested, but that would be all we need; some ancient magic deciding that I'm fine to bear children at my age. No Poppy, we will wait."
"If she's this good now, imagine what she'd be like in the future!" Minerva swallowed even though Poppy laughed when she did so. "What about toys?"
"I think you've had enough," Minerva said with wide eyes. Truthfully she hadn't had that thought because it was not something she had much knowledge of. Now though, the words spun around in her head like a whirlwind and she definitely did not want to discuss that with Poppy at this time.
"No! I'm completely sober," she chuckled. Minerva gave her a look. "Okay not totally. But!" She grinned. "Toys can't get either of you pregnant!"
"Poppy -" Minerva was aghast and there was a squelching feeling in her stomach.
"I'm just interested, alright? I'm," she made a face. "Curious. I feel like a woman would have more insight into what we might want. Even one so young. I will spare you the details -" Minerva groaned and covered her face. "But it is only in the last few years or so that he has really understood what I want or need." She rolled her eyes affectionately and Minerva bit back her smile. Poppy may have enjoyed teasing her a little, but that had never been Minerva's style. "It's been marvellous, but if I think about all the times I wish he knew what I meant or that he could read my mind. I mean -"
"Oh, bloody hell," Minerva groaned.
They stared at each other for a long time before Poppy cracked. Minerva followed and in no time they were laughing endlessly while they leaned against each other.
"She is amazing," Minerva whispered. "Though she is in my mind, I cannot always make my thoughts clear but it is like she can see into my soul. She can touch me and I am immediately prepared for whatever she wants. I crave her, Poppy. I would do whatever she said for the rest of my life if she was inclined to order me about."
"Ah, the honeymoon phase."
"I'm not so sure it is," Minerva muttered. "This doesn't feel as though it will ever stop. I -" She took a deep breath and looked at Poppy carefully. "I do not feel as though I will never be desperate for her touch."
"Hell," Poppy breathed. "Maybe I should trade him in for a woman."
Minerva laughed again and they fell quiet. Poppy took her hand again and kissed the back of it.
"I am genuinely glad for you, Min. I am looking forward to spending some proper time with her when she wakes up."
"To grill her about my sex life, no doubt," Minerva quipped.
"I can't help it if I want more details than you're willing to give," she grinned. "Not that you haven't been very forthcoming with me, love. Thank you for that; you've been very gracious to an old, long-married woman."
"Poppy!"
"But," she laughed. "Maybe she and I can discuss toys, seeing as you won't." Minerva gaped at her. "She'll talk to me, I'm certain of it."
Minerva shook her head and leaned against Poppy tiredly.
"I have missed you," she whispered. "I say it whenever we find time for this after a long while."
"Then we shall make sure we don't leave it too long then," Poppy said gently. "In these coming times, it is more important to remember why we're fighting."
"Yes. When Will gets off his 48 we'll invite him over and Hermione can do the honours, along with Alec when he's ready. Then I expect you to come over uninvited, often."
"I will certainly be glad to have it," Poppy sighed. "But I, again, do not think I will arrive unannounced."
Minerva snorted but didn't take the bait.
"I'm looking forward to seeing them both, in my home, where I know, for a moment, they're completely safe." They hummed and Poppy sighed. "You could even stay a while. We have a fair bit of land; it's not wild but I feel like the Island, specifically, is quite safe."
"Where are we?"
"Isle of Lewis, on the West coast. The ocean is just across the field," Poppy nodded. "We should eat," Minerva muttered. "This has gone straight to my head."
"What have you got in?"
"Not a lot, to be honest," Minerva grimaced. "We didn't expect to be back so soon."
"What are you going to go and fetch us then?"
Minerva chuckled and sighed before she got up.
"That looked rather easy," Poppy muttered. Minerva felt the alcohol dissipate in an instant as she glanced at Poppy and no doubt looked caught. "Oh dear Merlin, what now?"
"Well," she muttered. "We had noticed that perhaps a few of my customary aches and pains have," she hesitated. "Eased."
"Minerva."
"And I perhaps have a range of motion that I have not enjoyed for -" She winced. "Quite a while."
"Minerva!"
"Let's have dinner and just because I love you, I will let you perform all your spells with the bare minimum complaints, alright?"
Poppy looked mollified but that sharp eyebrow raised just a little to show her displeasure.
"Let me go and pick up a pizza or something and I promise you will see. There's nothing untoward. My joints are looser but my hair hasn't got any darker nor have these blasted wrinkles disappeared. In fact, since falling in love with Hermione, I'm convinced they're only getting deeper."
Poppy snorted and pushed Minerva with her bare foot.
"Fine. I take it you will be fine? What if madam wakes up and I have to break it to her that you're off gallivanting around the countryside to get a pizza of all things?"
"I'll get her one as well on the off chance I need to bribe her when I get home."
Poppy snorted as she finished her wine.
"Can you Transfigure me something more comfortable?"
"Even better I can let you borrow something? We don't have much but," Minerva blushed. "Pyjamas, we have."
Poppy chuckled.
"Go on then."
Minerva left her in the living room and used the opportunity to check on Hermione. She sat beside her sleeping lover and watched her for a moment. She leaned over and kissed Hermione softly.
"You have irrevocably changed my life, love. And I cannot help but be grateful to you, from the bottom of my heart." She sighed and nuzzled Hermione's cheek. "You have brought me love when I thought I would be without it, family when I thought I had lost it and magic when I thought I had conquered it. I love you, Hermione. Come back to me soon, okay?"
She retrieved some pyjamas and a towel for Poppy and pulled out some muggle clothing. She had a feeling life would be much safer if she passed as a muggle anytime she left the house, so she changed and left the pyjamas and towel in the guest bathroom.
"There are things are in the bathroom at the end of the hall. The rooms aren't set up," Minerva winced. "We had planned to do that together. But you are obviously more than welcome to stay out here or I can Transfigure -"
"Min," she said softly. "I'm fine out here. Don't worry. Go and get us some grub and then come back. I know you checked on her but I'd like to run a few tests again?"
"Why are you -" Minerva paused. "Oh."
"It's a tad heavy, being responsible for someone, isn't it?" Poppy said gently. "Being bound is not any different to being married, you know. At least not to us in the medical field. Unusual, to be sure, but not different; moreso because there is no backtracking."
"Marriage -" Minerva realised they hadn't even touched on that subject. She has no idea if Hermione wanted that, or if she, herself, wanted that. She took a deep breath and held it.
"I'm not asking you to define your relationship future to be, love," Poppy said gently. "Only that perhaps you should consider it, in time."
"I need food," Minerva muttered. "I need -"
"Go, love," Poppy smiled. "Be careful. The last thing I want is for Hermione to wake up and find you in trouble. She'll never tell me about your sex life then."
Minerva tripped over the coffee table and turned to glare at her friend.
"Madam!"
Poppy's laughter followed her out of the door, which she locked behind her, and Apparated away to a little pizza place she knew of on the island. She ordered without issue and then sat at a little table outside where she could keep her back to the wall and an eye on things in front of her. She wasn't too worried - the prospect of a fell wizard on the Isle of Lewis was slim to nil and she sighed as she let her mind drift as well. Poppy's words haunted her. She hadn't been too wrong that her previous partners were boring. She knew there were other ways of having sex, of course, but none that she had ever partaken in except for the odd instance. And yet, despite her best efforts, it had never felt right.
A tiny voice inside her head muttered that perhaps it was because she was destined for Hermione that nothing else had felt right. It was absolutely apparent, however, that Minerva had been blessed with Hermione and all her imagination. It turned out that Minerva McGonagall wasn't as boring as she feared, either. She wasn't oblivious, she had spent a year in France, for Merlin's sake. She knew enough.
She had just never been brave enough to seek it freely.
And now Poppy had undone Pandora's box and her thoughts were awash with the concept that perhaps they could fulfill some of their deeper wants or needs through artificial means.
And then there was marriage. She'd been married before, of course. Hermione knew that, but she didn't know how she felt about it generally. In her youth, it was drilled into her that it should be all she sought; a well positioned husband and a life of subservience but that had never been Minerva's idea of what life should be like. She had rebelled categorically against it. Her marriage to Elphinstone had been a decision born of comfort and love. There was no fire to their life together and even in her head, the wording she had subconsciously chosen filled her with wonder.
Now that she had fire in her life, she wondered how she had ever been without it. She wondered how she had ever lived without Hermione's sunburst eyes flashing at her when she threw her head back above her and she curiously thought about adding external apparatus to that and let out a shaky breath.
She blushed deeper as a young lad dropped off the pizzas and she thanked him and disappeared down the little alleyway between a few terraced houses. She turned on the spot and watched the lane outside the house for a little while before she decided it was fine to go home.
Hopefully on the morrow, Hermione would be with them and they could get on with the business of enjoying some of their holiday together and winning this blasted war.
