A/N: Apologies, my loves. I have been in NYC for a few days and just could not get to this. To make up for it I spent more money than I should have at the Harry Potter store. I wrote some of this on the plane so we'll see how we go.

-0-

Hogwarts was resplendent in the sunshine and Hermione wondered if it was her happiness making it brighter and when Minerva chuckled and thought the same she looked over and smiled.

"If it is, I'll take it," Hermione chuckled.

"As will I, darling."

Hermione grinned as Minerva marvelled at the idea that she would marry and it made the woman's smile even wider as the gates opened and they slipped inside.

"You are so fucking romantic," Hermione chuckled.

"Yes, well," Minerva blushed. "Don't tell anyone."

"Your secrets are always sage with my mo goal."

"I know," Minerva nodded.

"Now," Hermione nodded. "Let's see if we can't help Mrs Malfoy. I did speak to Lucia about this, she said it might be different or simply not as effective." She was the on to blush now and she chuckled as Minerva glanced sideways at her.

"What is it?"

"She said it is love. If you don't have love for that person, it just doesn't work as well."

"But-" Minerva frowned and Hermione only really noticed she'd stopped when she went to lean slightly on her side and couldn't find her. She turned back and arched an eyebrow instead of asking.

"You healed Albus?" Minerva looked a little awkward and shrugged. "I know you don't care for him in the same way I do but -"

"It is precisely because you care for him that I could do that." Minerva frowned. "I mean," Hermione explained as he turned back and pulled Minerva off the path and behind one of the great big stones that littered the grounds from previous battles, perhaps. "You love him, you do and I have no opinion on it. I do not. I have my reasons and you have yours. But!" She said before Minerva could interrupt. "Because you love him? And because you are the woman I love more than anything in this whole entire world? I could extend that to him, for you."

Hermione made a muffled noise as Minerva kissed her and pressed her back against the stones.

"I love you seems so fucking inadequate sometimes."

"Keep on swearing at me love, and I'm not sure we'll make it inside."

Minerva chuckled and rewarded her with another kiss before she stepped away. Hermione stared at her for a long time before she reached forward and drew her back into her arms.

"I love you, so much, Min."

"I know, Leannan."

Despite their public affections, they did not touch again as they made their way into the castle. They did not detour and went straight to the Second Floor where Hermione opened the Chamber of Secrets and they wandered down to the living quarters.

"Oh," Minerva muttered as they stepped inside. "That's rather different?"

It had morphed into something slightly more comfortable in their absence.

"Do you think this is Albus' doing?"

"I honestly don't know," Minerva mused. "Perhaps? Lucia did say the Castle is just a Castle."

"I don't think she meant it quite like that, love," Hermione giggled.

"Minerva, Hermione," Severus nodded as he slipped out of the room. "To what do we owe this pleasure?"

"We are here to help," Hermione said softly. "We realised that perhaps together we may be able to help, at least a little?"

"If it will help, we welcome it," he nodded slightly.

"Is Draco inside?"

"He is," Severus nodded. "He reads to her."

Hermione saw Minerva smile and saw the memory of the conversation she had with him and smiled as well. She linked their hands and let Severus lead them into the room.

"Narcissa?" he said quietly. Hermione couldn't quite label it as gently as he interrupted Draco without explanation but she knew him well enough not to be too surprised.

"Minerva," Draco said with a smile. "Hermione, hi."

"Hello, young man," Minerva smiled.

Hermione watched on in interest as Draco stood and hugged her. Minerva held him for a moment before she stepped away and back into Hermione's side.

"May we have the room, gentlemen?" Minerva said softly. "I swear we will take good care of her while we are here."

"Sure," Draco smiled. "Of course."

Severus was not as easy and he stared at Hermione for a long time.

"I have an Occlumency block, remember," she chuckled. He looked caught but remained mute. "We won't hurt her, Severus. It will be no different than what Poppy might do."

"It's fine," a quiet voice came from the bed.

Hermione smiled at her former Potion's professor and nodded as he turned around to double check before he left without a word.

"I -" Narcissa started. "Thank you. For giving him peace."

"You don't have to thank us," Hermione said gently. "Save your strength."

"It's -" she arched with a wince. "Important."

"We know," Minerva said softly. "He is my friend as well."

"He is -" She sighed. "I - He and I -"

"We know that too," Hermione said gently. "Save your words for after. I don't really know how this is going to go, but we're going to try. It may not help completely, but if we can speed it up, that can only help."

"I don't under -" She couldn't get the rest of the word out and Minerva stepped up to her side and leaned over her.

"Narcissa," she said gently. "Do you trust me?"

Hermione smiled as she realised what Minerva was doing.

"Yes," she managed.

"Then take this in your hand and believe, with all of your soul, that I will keep you safe. Can you do that?"

"Yes," she said again.

Hermione watched a tear meander down her face and stepped up to her side as well.

"Please don't worry," Hermione said softly. "We're going to take good care of you." Narcissa looked over at her and frowned. "You're part of our family now, Narcissa. It's going to be okay. For now, all you have to do is trust that we will keep you safe. We can go over everything else later."

She nodded with a pained look on her face and Hermione looked over at Minerva.

"Ready love?"

She nodded and held out her hands. They joined them above Narcissa and sighed as their respective worries about Narcissa and interestingly enough, their worry about Minerva's past.

"It's alright," Hermione breathed. "I won't let anything happen to either of you."

Minerva made a face as their hands shifted above the woman and Hermione sighed as she felt her hands warm.

"Breathe, Narcissa. No matter what happens, trust us and keep breathing." Narcissa didn't have the wherewithal to comment as Hermione and Minerva's hands ignited. "You breathe as well," Hermione smiled at her lover. "Trust me."

They placed one hand on Narcissa's shoulders and even though the woman arched in pain, their hands stayed lit and Hermione growled at the power building inside her.

"Calm," she muttered. "Just stay calm."

It erupted out of her like an explosion. Her wings whipped out and ignited as well and Minerva yelped as the power reverberated through her as well. Hermione, well used to the feeling, let it work without trying to control it and concentrated on the new feelings that were beneath the power.

She could feel Narcissa. Evidently as she was now part of their family, her pain was their pain and she wondered whether that would happen to all of them, or just those in a terrible pain like a Cruciatus pain. She concentrated again as she felt it change.

This was different to Albus, or even Minerva and she looked down at Narcissa and saw her eyes glowing.

"Oh," she whispered, despite what they were doing.

Narcissa had a Draconvir ancestor and she paid more attention as their magic continued to help her through her recovery. Her eyes continued to glow but nothing else seemed to happen and after a time, their hands spluttered and smoked and the magic waned.

"Oh," Minerva muttered and sank into a chair.

"Easy," Hermione said softly. "It's alright. It will pass."

She turned back to the woman in the bed and smiled.

"How do you feel?"

"Much better," she said while she blinked.

"Good," Hermione smiled. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs Malfoy. I'm glad that we could help."

"Narcissa," she nodded. "Please."

"Do you understand what has gone on here?"

"Yes," she nodded. "You are Draconvir. Draco's letters were difficult, at times," she chuckled proudly. "But helpful. I gathered everything I could on the subject."

"I'm so glad, thank you for that."

"Narcissa?" Minerva's tired voice interrupted them. "Was Bella protecting you?"

Narcissa turned and regarded Hermione's lover for a long time before she nodded.

"Underneath she is still there, Minerva."

"I will not argue with the one who knows her best, but please be careful of hoping where hope is not quite the sensible option."

"What happened?"

"One of Rabastan's friends took a fancy to me and started following me around. When I spurned his advances, he took it upon himself to punish me for my insolence." Hermione made a noise of disgust and Narcissa managed a chuckle. "Quite. When Bella found out, she was incensed. I thought she might kill him. Rodolphus had to pull her away and the last I saw of Rabastan was him being dragged off as well. She carried me back to my room and tried to help."

"Poppy Pomfrey mentioned someone had started the healing, and that was my conclusion," Minerva sighed. "I am sorry, Narcissa, that we took so long."

"That you came at all was a blessing," Narcissa smiled. "I thought -" A tear rolled down her cheek and Hermione leaned forward to wipe it away. "When Draco and Severus were freed, all I felt was hope." She looked over to Minerva. "I will continue to hope for Bella, even though I know it is a fool's hope."

"I do not know whether I could offer her safety," Hermione said gently. "Just as I do not know that I could offer your hus -" She paused. "Lord Malfoy the same."

She turned and met Hermione's eyes.

"You know?"

"I do. As does Min," she smiled. "Severus did not tell us, we have an added advantage that is not fair on anyone."

"What?"

"We are," Minerva shrugged uncomfortably and Hermione suddenly wanted to wrap her arms around her and whisk her away. Minerva looked over with as much love in her eyes as she could muster and Hermione winked at her.

Won't be long. I don't want to leave her uncomfortable.

I know, darling.

Are you hurting?

No, Minerva huffed in her mind. I do not know what I am.

Hermione nodded

"Narcissa," Hermione said gently. "I apologise but we need to go soon so I suppose I will ask now we have had some time. How do you feel?"

Narcissa seemed unbothered by her announcement and instead rolled her shoulders and they watched her flex her feet under the covers.

"Much recovered," she smiled. She was quite pretty, despite her exhaustion. Hermione glanced at Minerva who refused to meet her eye as Hermione recalled Minerva's memory of Narcissa at the Ministry Ball. "Though there is still some tenderness in areas."

"I am glad it is better, at least," Hermione smiled. "And seeing as that is the case, we will leave you here." She leaned forward and glanced at Minerva with a grin. "Let Severus take care of you like he's dying to. You can milk it for whatever you like at this point."

Narcissa laughed and covered her mouth to stop herself from continuing. She shook her head and looked at them both.

"Thank you both for your help and thank you," she shook her head again. "Thank you so much for rescuing us all."

"You are family now, Narcissa," Minerva said as she stood. "It is only natural that we take care of you. Perhaps when you are recovered we can have Andromeda visit."

Narcissa's eyes filled with tears.

"I would love that, Madam, thank you."

Minerva bowed her head and it was enough for Hermione to wink at Narcissa and offer her hand as they left the room.

"What happened," Severus asked as soon as they exited the room.

"She's fine," Hermione said softly. "Still sensitive, but fine."

"Thanks," Draco grinned. He hugged them both at the same time and made Minerva chuckle before he slipped into the room and left the three of them standing outside.

"Is she really -"

"She is," Hermione nodded. "Not totally healed but much much better."

"Thank you," he said quietly.

"As we told her," Minerva sighed. "You are family, Severus. We were not pontificating, you are family just as she is now. Enjoy the time off. It will be soon that the real work begins."

He bowed lower than Hermione had ever seen and went inside as well, leaving them on their own.

"Are you up for Albus and then to the supermarket before we go home?" Hermione asked quietly.

"Yes," Minerva nodded. "We must."

"We can see Albus another day?"

"No," Minerva sighed. "Once we are home, I want a week of uninterrupted time with you."

Hermione smiled.

"Well then. Let's go and see him and then we'll nip and get the essentials."

Minerva leaned against her shoulder and sighed.

"I love you," Minerva muttered.

"I know," Hermione smiled. "Come on. We probably need to see Michael as well. And Filius must be back soon?"

"Again and again," Minerva chuckled. "Our work is never done."

"Come on," Hermione chuckled. "Quicker we get it all done, quicker I can take you home and put you in the bath and touch you in places that make you sigh."

Minerva laughed as she did just that and pushed playfully on Hermione's hip.

"Nothing but Trouble."

"That's the way you like me," Hermione grinned.

-0-

It turned out, Albus wasn't in and the Gargoyle did not know where he had gone. Minerva sighed and nodded in defeat.

"Gosh you are tired," Hermione said softly. "It's not that big a deal, you know. He's a grown man. He'll be fine."

She didn't even try and deny it.

"Left alone, I cannot say that I trust him to remain focussed."

"Well, perhaps without you he will have to," Hermione smiled. "Will you please tell him we called and to perhaps let us know when we should come back?"

"I will."

Hermione patted its shoulder and slipped their hands together. Minerva sighed as she took some of the turmoil and kissed the back of her hand in thanks.

"I'll always take care of you, love," Hermione said quietly.

"I seem to remember promising to take care of you?"

"We will have all week and you have never done that before. It's okay to be tired, Min. Come on. Let's go and see Michael and see if Filius is around to give us the name of the Portrait Master."

"Good thinking," Minerva nodded.

Micheal greeted them jovially but didn't have much to report and Filius was not yet back. They elicited a promise from his own portrait that she would tell him they were looking for him before they left the castle and Apparated away.

"Ooh," Hermione chuckled. "I totally forget that there's a whole world out there that we're not a part of. It's a little disconcerting."

"Indeed," Minerva chuckled. "I prefer this one to the ones that straddle our world. They're wrong, somehow."

"I will trust you," Hermione grinned. "I can't say I even knew we had ones that straddle our worlds."

Minerva snorted.

"Come one Trouble. This will be an experience for us both, I suppose."

"Oh love," Hermione grinned. "The only thing that's going to be an experience is which one of us is going to be paying for it."

"Obviously you," Minerva joked. "Come on, Leannan."

Shopping with Hermione was an experience that Minerva was not quite prepared for. She was like a literary fairy flitting from aisle to aisle. They had more things in their trolley than Minerva had ever bought and before they were even half way through she put her hand on Hermione's arm.

"Darling," she chuckled. "We are only two people and we will not be there for long."

"I know," she grinned. "I was teasing you to see how long you'd last."

Minerva's mouth dropped open.

"You little toe rag!"

Hermione laughed and Minerva couldn't help but laugh as well. They backtracked and put back all the insane things she had put in the trolley before they started looking properly.

"I know I've asked you before, but can you cook?"

"Not well," Minerva blushed. "But I can."

"Perhaps, together, we might find someone to learn from. Because I am not that great at it at all. In fact," she chuckled as they browsed the bread, "I realised when Lucia was there that I felt the need to provide for you." Minerva looked at her sideways before she scoffed.

"You do not need to do that, Leannan."

"I know," Hermione grinned. "But I felt the need to, so I definitely want to learn."

"Well then we shall."

They paid for their purchases and left without incident. They arrived back at the house and Minerva was struck by just how well they worked together as they put away the groceries. Hermione seemed to know just where to put things and Minerva moved as efficiently as she could muster while the exhaustion pulled on her bones.

"Go and sit down, stubborn." Hermione chuckled as Minerva just about caught the jam she nearly dropped. "Go, I'll make you a cup of tea in a minute."

Minerva was powerless against those beautiful brown eyes and she leaned tiredly in Hermione's arms.

"I want no jokes about age," she said quietly. She knew her mind would give away just how worried she was about it and soft hands cupped her cheek.

"Today we almost completely healed someone who was tortured. After you went through what you went through and after what I went through." She was kissed softly and she sighed against Hermione's lips. "I would be concerned if you were not tired. It has nothing to do with how old you are. If indeed you are that old anymore, technically."

"Darling -"

"Go." Hermione pushed her towards the living room and she went.

The sun was not so bright up here in the North East and she sat down on the sofa overlooking the windows. It had become one of her favourite places to be and she sighed as the exhaustion pulled on her consciousness again. She pulled the throw off the back of the sofa and breathed it in when she realised it smelled of Hermione. It did not take her long to realise she was losing the battle with sleep.

"You are so very stubborn," Hermione whispered from behind her.

Minerva murmured but couldn't quite form enough words but she pulled on Hermione hand until she slipped in behind her and wrapped her in her arms. A soft kiss on her neck seemed to be all she needed and she fell into oblivion surrounded by her love.