A/N: I thought I was doing so well to get this to you in my morning, then I got busy at work. Sigh. Sorry! Enjoy x

-0-

Hermione had been quiet all evening; her mind was whirring and Minerva paused in her writing to watch her young lover bite her thumbnail.

"Don't scrutinise me," Hermione sighed. "Not tonight."

"Can I not just look at you?" Minerva teased gently. "What would I scrutinise you for, my love?"

"Because I am concerned we have no idea what the enemy is doing and even less of an idea what our friends are doing."

Minerva hummed and put down her quill. She considered Hermione's words and the dead ends they'd hit over and over since before they'd even come back to Hogwarts. Narcissa was getting better, but her progression had not been as swift as Minerva's and though Hermione and Minerva had offered to have another go at it, she did not feel as though it was worth it for the small, but persistent twitches and aches that most of them, with the exception of perhaps Hermione, knew would pass in time.

"I, for one, ahm not so unhappy."

Hermione chuckled and looked up at Michael, who looked incredibly pleased with himself.

"A whole new painting," Minerva teased. "With the most ostentatious frame we could find."

"You'll not be putting me close to yeh bedroom, will you?"

Hermione chuckled and Minerva felt a little of her worries drift away.

"Leannan, come 'ere," Minerva ordered. "Michael?"

"Aye, my Lady?"

"Get lost."

His laughter echoed throughout their room as he left. She felt Hermione's confusion at the phrasing but beckoned her close. Hermione got up and Minerva watched the sensual way her hips rolled as she walked.

"You're absolutely cuckoo," Hermione chuckled as she drew in line with the desk. "I'm just walking." Minerva pushed herself away from her desk and pulled Hermione onto her knee. She brushed away the stray hair that always seemed to make its way over Hermione's eyes. "Needs a cut, really," Hermione muttered.

"I think it's perfect," Minerva soothed. "It is usually me that lets my emotions run rampant at night, what ails you really, my beautiful love?"

"It is what bothers me any time we're in the castle; Albus. What is he doing and why don't we know about it? I hate not being able to contact them. I just -"

"I do not know, Leannan. I wish we did, but I do not. I trust him, though. I do, though I know you do not."

"It's not that I don't trust him, Min," Hermione said quietly. Her sadness was making Minerva want to weep. "I mean," she groaned and let her head drop back. Minerva took the opportunity to kiss her throat. "I don't trust him, not for the small things. I trust him that he's not about to join the enemy but he's so stubborn." She ran her hand over Minerva's head as she leaned heavier against her. "I don't like the way he's going about it. I feel like we're being quite open with everything and he is being so subversive."

Minerva let it sit for a moment, before she smiled.

"You know," Minerva said softly. "We do not actually have to think about Albus. We don't have to think about anything, if we do not want to?"

"Oh yeah," Hermione smirked at her and Minerva met it with a smile. "And what is it you are proposing, Madam?"

"Ah already did that, Leannan," Minerva joked. It charmed Hermione and she got a kiss for her levity. "I'm sure I can think of something to take your mind off things?"

"And your paperwork?"

"It's all nonsense anyway," Minerva muttered as her hand slipped under Hermione's shirt. "I surely don't even recall what I was doing."

"It has been three very long days since I've had your mouth on me, Minerva," Hermione whispered. "Don't make me wait any longer."

Minerva tensed her muscles and tested Hermione's weight in her arms. Finding a satisfactory pull, but nothing more, she stood and brought Hermione with her.

"Min!" Hermione laughed. "Where the heck did that come from?"

"A newly formed discovery."

"We should study it," Hermione whispered as she interlocked her fingers behind Minerva's head.

"Oh, I plan to," Minerva muttered as she kicked the bedroom door closed. "Are you alright with this?"

"Am I alright?" Hermione chuckled. "You mean, 'do I mind if you take me to bed and fuck me until I pass out?' absolutely, Min, I don't mind that at all."

"I was thinking more along the lines of soft caresses and gentle kisses while I whisper all the ways that I love you in as many languages as I can muster." Hermione sighed as Minerva lay her down and made short work of undressing her. "I love you, Hermione," Minerva whispered as she settled on top of her. "Don't you ever forget it."

-0-

It was dark when they both jolted awake and Minerva wasn't sure what to make of it as she sat up and glanced at Hermione.

"I don't know either," she muttered. "But it's something."

"Should we get dressed?"

"Definitely," Hermione nodded.

Hermione pulled on the set of robes she had worn to the Order meeting, not bothering with much underneath, while Minerva withdrew her own set. It did not take them long to pull on their boots and while Hermione was trying to fix her hair up, they both realised what had happened.

"Go," Minerva hissed. "Go!"

They raced through the castle until they were in the grounds. Hermione reached for her hand and she went willingly as Hermione pulled her in. Minerva screwed up her eyes as Hermione growled and stepped forward with purpose.

"Bloody hell!" Hermione hissed as they arrived outside the Leaky Cauldron. Hermione's hair was smoking and Minerva felt very sick. Their hands found each other in the dark of the morning and Minerva sighed as the feelings drifted away.

They rushed inside and immediately got separated as spells flew at the newcomers without order.

Can you figure out who's here, love?

Hestia and -

Minerva knew why she'd paused and she withdrew her wand as the dark figures at the doorway between two worlds took delight in setting fire to the bar. Minerva winced as Tom pleaded for peace.

I think Kingsley is out there.

Can you talk to him?

No, but I think we might be able to get at this one.

We don't know how many there are?

Yeah but we can take them.

Hermione, the last time you thought that, you faced Bellatrix, alone.

You're here this time, though aren't you.

Her -

She rolled her eyes at her lover as Hermione stood up and stunned the Death Eater in the doorway. Minerva tutted and dispatched the one that was about to curse Hermione and the one that had come in from outside when they heard the commotion.

"If you'd just wait for me," Minerva chastised.

"You caught up," Hermione grinned. "Come on."

"Hermione, wait!"

She definitely did not enjoy this more cavalier side of Hermione that seemed to appear whenever there was trouble. It was almost obnoxious and Minerva knew there was not room for that in battle.

"Come and play with me," Hermione grinned as she slipped out of the pub and into the alley.

"Hermione," Minerva warned. "Think. Use your brain for it is considerable. You need to make good decisions."

Hermione hesitated for just a moment before she grinned again and Minerva was forced to follow as she went outside. They had yet to make it to Diagon Alley for the books or the robes they had intended to purchase, despite the best intentions of the last few weeks. Minerva allowed herself just a moment to reflect on how much worse it had become since she'd come here for Ron's broom.

Nearly every window at this end of the street was boarded up and there were crude messages and evil symbols sprayed on the boards.

Minerva's attention was drawn back to her lover as Hermione stalked down the alley as bold as brass. Somebody wolf-whistled and Minerva's eyes narrowed as she growled.

"Mine," she muttered in her head and out loud.

"Come and get them, lover."

Minerva was the one now, whose boots echoed on the cobblestones. She made short work of the distance as they stepped out together into the main thoroughfare. It was immediately apparent that Kingsley was doing his best, but there were four Death Eaters and only one of him.

Split up. Minerva nodded to where she wanted Hermione to go. Having an extra target will help confuse them.

Your wish is my command, lover.

Minerva rolled her eyes and chastised her gently to concentrate but Hermione was not phased. She supposed she might be as well if she'd never been to war AND had all this new power. It was probably quite comforting.

Minerva waited for her to be in place before she started a short count down in her head. On zero, they did and sent a volley of spells at the enemy's back. Of the four, three of them heard them and ducked. The fourth dropped like a stone.

"You would be wise to take your friend and go," Minerva called sternly. "I'll not be giving you the same opportunity again."

A ripple of fear went through the remaining three as they turned to look at her. They hadn't even seen Hermione yet, she didn't think, and Minerva decided to keep it that way for as long as she could.

"I'll not ask again, leave now. Be on your way."

"I don't think so."

Minerva froze as she felt the tip of a wand on the back of her neck and she looked up to find Hermione turning slowly.

"I would not threaten me, if I was you," Minerva warned. "I would do as I ask and just leave. I am being more than fair by offering you that."

"You think I'm scared of an old, tired, biddy like you?" The cold voice hissed at her and she forced herself to remain calm.

"Is that Anthony Goyle? Your level of understanding has not improved, I see. Anthony, I think you should, for once, listen to me."

"Shut up McGonagall. My master is going to love this. I bagged McGonagall. I'm going to be rewarded well for this."

In the dark morning, lit only by the streetlights as the sun continued to rise slowly, she could see Hermione's eyes flash with fire. Minerva sighed against the young man's fate. He was barely four years older than his equally troublesome younger brother, but he would likely lose his life at this moment.

Hermione disappeared from where she was and Minerva closed her eyes against the sadness of more lives lost as the wand at her neck flew into the street and Anthony collided with the brickwork of the apothecary. She turned to find Hermione growling under her breath.

"Thank you, my love. Now, let us be calm. I do not like the way you lose your head in these situations, but I am fine and you are overwrought."

"He -"

"I know," Minerva soothed. "It seems that while I am worried about you, I do not pay attention quite as much as I should, so I will need you to be a little less cavalier and a little more cautious, alright? I know you have all this power but as evidenced by Mr Goyle, there, some of them can be sneaky."

"You don't have to -"

"I will always worry about you, my love. Because I love you. That is my job as your -" She swallowed. "Mate."

Hermione kissed her hotly and Minerva moaned at the heat in her love's face and hands before she pulled away.

"Kingsley is doing okay but while we've been distracted, he's pinned down again. Hestia is somewhere close and I'm very very worried about Dedalus."

"Why?"

"Because he was here and I don't know where he is anymore."

Minerva let out a shaky breath.

"Okay, let's not split up again. Together?"

"Until we are nought but spacedust and magic, mo goal."

They rounded the corner and joined back in with Kingsley as he fought the remaining Death Eaters. As they stood in battle, more than one storekeeper came out to help. Before long, the Death Eaters panicked and after they grabbed their stunned friend and Apparatus away.

"Minerva!"

They rushed to Kingsley's side and Hermione looked him over.

"You're hurt," she muttered.

"Slashing hex," he winced. "It's fine."

"It's not," she said gently as she knelt beside him. She leaned in and lowered her voice. "Go to Hogwarts. Send a Patronus to Severus and have him help. We'll be there in a little while." Kingsley stood and bent over the slice in his side. "I can't heal you here," she said softly when it looked like he was going to argue. "Can you make it home?"

"Don't worry about me," he winced. "I'd be alright."

"I know you will," she said with a smile. "But you aren't right now. So be careful, okay? Min?" She turned and looked for her lover, but the woman was standing, stock still, staring at something Hermione couldn't quite make out. "Min?"

She held out her hand for Kingsley to take. He sighed as some of the pain left him enough for him to Apparate away.

"Go home, get help. It'll be alright."

He nodded and disappeared with a pop. Hermione turned to Minerva and though conscious of where they were and who they were in front of, the quiet whine in her head was loud enough for Hermione to press her hand to Minerva's lower back as she came to stand beside her.

Hermione's breath caught as she stared at the same thing Minerva was. She blinked and shook her head as she tried to clear the vision. Dedalus was laying in Hestia's arms as pale as a ghost with his eyes staring blankly up at the sky.

"Oh," Hermione breathed.

Minerva's hands shook as Hermione took one in her own before she knelt down.

"Hestia," she whispered. "I -" She shook her head. "Hestia, let's -"

There was a hustle down the street and Minerva suddenly snapped out of her shock and stepped forward.

"Don't let go of him." She turned to Hermione. Go to Hogwarts.

-0-

Hermione watched as Minerva disappeared but despite her lover's orders, Hermione didn't follow. She got up and eased back in the crowd as the DMLE officers arrived. A few of the shopkeepers looked at her and she shook her head, almost pleading with them to keep their names out of things and she smiled as Florian Fortescue stepped forward bravely.

"Where were all your lot? They're running riot down here and you're never here." There was a mumble of agreement as a few of the DMLE looked a bit awkward at the constructive criticism.

"How are we supposed to know?" The office that complained looked caught as someone stepped forward looking down his nose at everything.

Hermione ducked down as she felt the same malfeasance that she had released from Severus and Draco. The few people that were around her pressed a little closer, blocking her from view and she tied her hair up and changed a little rock on the ground to a pair of glasses. She put them on and wished she knew how to transfigure her features.

Where the FUCK are you?

Hermione winced at the strength of Minerva's words and looked around trying to find her.

I wanted to check out who was here.

What sense does that make? I told you to go -

Min. I'll meet you at Hogwarts. I'll explain when we're home.

Minerva did not reply but Hermione could tell she was angry. Hermione sighed and thanked the few bystanders that were keeping an eye on her. She turned on the spot and appeared by the gates to an irate lover who let her in and then slammed the gate shut behind her.

"You should have -"

"Min," she said softly. "I was safe. I needed to see what the situation was."

"Hestia is in there with one of our family that is dead, Hermione. Now was not the time."

Hermione's gut clenched and she leaned on her knees as she realised.

"I -" She sighed and looked up at her. "Min, I'm sorry."

"I do not like the way you behave when you are spoiling for a fight," Minerva snapped. "You are careless. Flippant. People are DYING, Hermione and you are the only thing in this world that I cannot live without. I need you -" She seemed to realise she was shouting at her and stopped. Hermione watched her lower lip tremble and felt the horror churning in her gut.

"Come here," Hermione whispered.

They held each other for a long while, letting their bond process the emotions. Minerva's arms were like steel cords around her but Hermione didn't care. Her hands curled in Minerva's robes as they pressed themselves together.

"Is she -"

"She's fine," Minerva muttered. "They were caught unawares. Kingsley happened to be close by, rather than looking for them. If he hadn't been there, I am terrified to think we would have lost her too."

"Okay." Hermione whispered as she breathed Minerva in. "Okay. Let's -" She closed her eyes and interrupted herself to hold Minerva again. "Let's go in and get them settled. We're going to have to expand the Chamber and then once everyone is settled, I think we call everyone together and we figure out a way of keeping everyone in the loop. I can't -" She swallowed thickly. "We can't lose anyone else."

"Darling," Minerva whispered as she pulled away. "War is hell, Leannan. We will lose the ones we love, that is what you told me. No matter our skill or our efforts, some people may die."

"I said it to comfort you," Hermione whispered. "I did not think that I would fail in my -"

"You didn't fail, my love," Minerva breathed. "Hermione, look at me." She didn't want to, she knew what Minerva was going to say, she could read her mind, for Merlin's sake, but Minerva's soft hand on her face forced her. "You did not fail anyone."

Hermione breathed for a while before she nodded. Minerva looked at her for a while longer but Hermione acknowledged her words both out loud and in her head. Minerva nodded and kissed her softly before she tangled their hands together. The walk up to the Castle was sombre and by the time they made it into the Chamber of Secrets their sadness was settled somehow.

Hestia was sitting watching the fire and Draco stood at his mother's door. There was a mumbled conversation from around the corner the found Severus treating Kingsley's wound.

"Hold still," the Potion's Professor grumbled.

"It hurt!"

Minerva chuckled and placed her hand on Severus' back.

"May I?"

"Will you," Severus muttered. "He's whines so much."

"I do not!"

"Children," Minerva warned.

Hermione watched as Minerva leaned over Severus' shoulder and placed her hand over the wound. She closed her eyes and breathed out slowly as her hand began to glow.

"Oh," she hissed.

"Easy," Hermione said, joining her and placing her hands on her hips to steady her. "Trust yourself. It will pass."

She took another deep breath and then stood as the healing finished. She stood with a sigh and squeezed Severus' hand.

"Where is he?"

"There's a new room popped up at the back," Severus said quietly. "We placed him in there. I suggest having Poppy come down to put a Stasis on him."

"Do we know if he has family or anything?"

"He doesn't," Hestia said quietly. "They're all gone. We weren't really close but I know that."

"I'm sorry, dear," Minerva said quietly.

"It's -" She sniffed. "Just a shock, you know? One minute he was telling me to keep my guard up and the next -"

"Are your family safe?" Hermione asked quietly.

"They are, they've gone to my Uncle's wife's family in Hungary.

"Good," Hermione nodded. "You should stay here for as long as you need. I'm going to see if the Castle can expand its bedroom selection."

Minerva didn't follow but Hermione wasn't worried. She went to the front of the Chamber and traced her hands along the wall.

"Lucia said that you are just a Castle, but I do not believe that for a moment. I need somewhere to put our people, we need space to craft and train and sleep. The more, the better. I do not know how many rooms I would need but for now, I definitely need more. You are our home and I would be honoured if I could open our home to our people. I know you can hear me, because you healed yourself when you asked. I just want to protect them."

"You cannae protect everyone, mo gaol."

She turned and regarded Minerva for a while before she realised there was a noise she wasn't familiar with. She turned and saw the corridors of empty space expanding and contracting.

"Um, I guess that means it's going to help me."

"Hermione," Minerva laughed. "You never cease to amaze me, Leannan. You are utterly incredible."

"I don't mean to be," she sighed. "Sometimes I just want to be Hermione."

"You are always that to me as well."

Hermione smiled and wrapped her arms around her love.

"We need to contact Poppy."

"Yes," Minerva nodded. "And then you want everyone to come here?"

"It's safest," she whispered. "Assuming we can trust everyone?"

"I have been thinking about that," Minerva soothed. "Our bond would not allow anyone to betray us, I do not think. So I feel we can relax, at least a little, in those areas. Once we lay Dedalus to rest, we will begin working on our communication system and from there we will begin anew."

"I love you, Min," Hermione whispered as their eyes met. "I'm so glad you were brave for me. I do not think I could do this without you."

"You will never be without me," Minerva said softly. "I'm yours until we are spacedust and magic, Leannan. For all of eternity."