A/N: My Wednesday off turned into something else, so the hope is - between the eclipse - we shall move forward. In the meantime there is barely moments left of the Liverpool Man Utd game and we're 2-2 and it's... tense at home. So pray for Liverpool to scrape a goal in the next five minute.
Also, pretty much all smut. So go Liverpool lol
-0-
Hermione still did not wake when Minerva rose after being woken by Feedle just before sunrise. She waited as long as possible, but there was no sign of life save the soft breathing from her love that Minerva checked more than once as she pulled on her robes. She looked to the sky as she realised she would have to potentially deal with everything without the weight of Hermione beside her and she decided she would stop at Hogwarts first. Perhaps Albus had an idea of how to proceed. She kissed Hermione's forehead gently and with a quiet farewell to Feedle, she left for the Castle.
"I thought you would be early, but I did not think you would be as early as the Lark, Minerva."
She smiled at Lucia as she emerged from the shadows and allowed the tight hug. She felt Lucia let go, but she did not. The comfort was something she had not expected to find but now she had it, she wanted to bottle it and take it with her.
"Little one," Lucia soothed. "You must not think of yourself as less!"
"I do not," Minerva mumbled, feeling rather childish. "But without her, I cannot think. I will not have the same -"
"Minerva," Lucia said quietly as she pulled away to meet her eyes. "Hermione is our First. That is undeniable. But you, Minerva, are our First as well. There is a reason you can do this -" She drew Minerva's hand to her mouth and breathed over their joined hands. Their little dragon sigils shimmered under her breath. "There is a reason you can do this -" She opened Minerva's hand and placed hers over the open palm. Minerva felt the warmth ignite and finally smiled. "You are our First, darling. We belong as much to you as we do to her. You do not need Hermione. If she did not wake up for a month, you would be fine."
"Don't tempt her," Minerva chuckled as she wiped away a tear. "Thank you."
"Come 'ere," Lucia chuckled. Minerva took the comfort again and sighed as they parted. "You were formidable before Hermione, love. You are just as formidable now."
"It is easier as one of a pair," Minerva huffed. "I never had that and now I do, it's terrifying to feel alone again. And, for someone who fought so strongly against your comfort, it is appreciated. Thank you for that."
"You are most welcome." Lucia smiled. "Go, rescue the dragon then go home and enjoy the quiet. We will be fine here. We have made contact with Blake but it is not so urgent it cannot wait until you are both rested. We will continue trying."
Minerva squeezed Lucia's hand and backed out of the gate and turned to disappear to London as quickly as she could.
-0-
Charlie Weasley, as it turned out, was not an early riser. In fact, they were an hour later than she'd intended and as they made their way along the banks of the Thames down the little tow path, he did nothing but grumble under his breath. She smiled as he tripped and when he nearly went into the water, she turned and held him still.
"Are you quite finished?"
"No," he muttered as he adjusted his pack on his back. "But yes."
"Good. I would ask, before we do this, that you would allow me to place you under the same protection that your family has. That you would join my family and so be a part of this. Hermione would ask that you would help us if we need it, and know, without a shadow of a doubt, if you need us? We would be there as well."
"Where do I sign," Charlie laughed. "Ginny mentioned it vaguely last night. I was intrigued, to say the least."
"I must introduce you to Lucia and Amalle. They are also Draconvir but there is a complication there that I think you might find interesting. Take this and know that you will be ours, once you do so."
He took it without hesitation and she smiled as she watched the little silver dragon appear on his hand, between the already impressive tattoos he had down his forearm.
"It did not disrupt them," she said softly. She rubbed her thumb over the skin where the new sigil lay. "I do not know if you will ever see it, but I can. You are now one of mine."
He grinned at her and gave back her knife.
"Let's go, then. Introduce me to my new friend."
Minerva snorted as she turned and carried on down the path, splitting off down a little tributary and under some bramble.
"Could we not have -"
"And startle him?"
"Excellent point," he growled as his hair and the handle of his broom got caught on one of the reaching branches. "A little help?"
She untangled him and waved her fingers lazily. His hair tied itself up and he poked his tongue out at her in retaliation.
"At least you didn't try to cut it, like Mum did."
"I would never dare," Minerva muttered as she paused. "He is close. Stay beside me and whatever happens, there will be no need to move from my side until I say it is safe. This is not like the dragons at home, Charlie, I will speak to him and you will wait. Alright?"
"Yes Professor," Charlie muttered, by rote. He dropped his pack and joined her side.
Minerva nodded and very carefully stepped out of the undergrowth. The Horntail was curled up by the far bank seemingly unbothered, but his eyes were like lamps in the morning light as they followed their movements.
Good morning. I bring a friend who will take you to the place you should have been born. He will not harm you but he is mine and I would ask that you would be kind to him.
I will not harm your friend.
Thank you.
"Charlie?" She nodded for him to step beside her.
Do you have a name?
None you are to know.
She bowed her head and turned back to the young Weasley.
"He has no name that he will give us. I do not think he would appreciate being given one either."
"Wow," Charlie blinked. "Wait, is that true of all dragons?"
Minerva arched an eyebrow and turned to the Horntail. It got up lazily and huffed a puff of smoke from his nostrils.
"Seems like it."
"This is amazing," he almost squealed. "What else?"
"This is not that, love," Minerva chuckled. "Perhaps after the war we can explore this further but for now, time is of the essence. He must get to your Sanctuary. Though if he does not wish to stay, I do not know that you should make him. He has been underground for a long time."
Can you fly?
All dragon can fly. I will fly.
"I believe now is the time," she sighed. She hugged Charlie hard and looked at him as he pulled away. "Come back soon, alright? Bring your man home to meet your new family. Oh," she blinked as she realised. "Listen, if you need sanctuary, Hogwarts will hide you. Remember that, alright?"
"Thanks, McG," he grinned as he hugged her hard again. "Guess we'll be off them. Any chance you can control the weather? Sometimes this crossing really sucks."
"I cannot," she laughed. "But be careful. He will protect you if necessary."
"He will?"
"He will when I ask it of him."
Charlie laughed and pulled out his broom. He pulled out a heavy cloak and cast a few protection spells over it before he put it on and clipped it over his chest and arms.
Please do not let anything happen to him. He is mine as you are mine. You must both reach your destination in one piece.
I will protect him as you said, the dragon huffed. Thank you, for my freedom.
I am sorry that we could not free your friend.
He is now free. Dragon are not sad for freedom.
She bowed her head and turned to Charlie. He nodded to both of them and kicked off the ground. She warned the dragon she was going to use a little magic and did her best to obfuscate them as they both rose into the sky. She watched until she lost sight of them and sighed as she looked around the little cave in the bank. It wasn't so big, but it was shocking that nobody knew it was here, so close to the city. She shook her head and made note of its features. Even if the goblins had filled in the tunnel that they had used to escape, she now knew that Gringotts extended this far out and if need be, they would use that information to further their cause. For now, with the exhaustion of the rush pulling at her, she Apparated home to her love.
-0-
She wasn't sure how long she had been asleep but she was warm and comfortable when she woke. Long arms were wrapped around her and she snuggled into the warmth she lived with for so long now. A murmur pulled her from that feeling between wakefulness and sleep and she blinked open her eyes to see Minerva sleeping fitfully.
"Easy," Hermione whispered. "Easy, my love." The noise woke Minerva and her eyes searched for the culprit. "I'm here."
"Oh," Minerva sobbed. "Oh, mo leannan. Tha mi air do ionndrainn, cho mòr."
Hermione waited a beat while she felt the words translate.
"I have missed you as well," she chuckled. "How long was I out."
"Three, long and lonesome days."
"THREE! What about, I mean -"
"Yes," Minerva sighed. "And please do not worry. I found a way to find Charlie and he returned to take our new friend home. He is due to return next month with his man for the first time."
"Oh," Hermione smiled. "That's lovely! Ginny will be pleased. You did all that in three days?"
"I did, and she is," Minerva chuckled. "I have missed you so much, Leannan, have I said that?"
"You have," Hermione grinned. "I need a shower then perhaps you might show me?"
"Oh," Minerva groaned. "Darling, I would love nothing more."
"Come, bathe with me?"
Minerva kissed her softly and the feeling of her toes curling galvanised Hermione's need to get up.
"Come on," Hermione grinned. "I've been dreaming about you."
"You have?" Minerva blinked. "I haven't felt anything?"
"Perhaps I will be able to surprise you then," Hermione chuckled. "Come. Bath or shower?"
"That highly depends on your surprise, love," Minerva chuckled as she was pulled out of the bed.
"Shower then," Hermione nodded. "Cold tiles on your back makes your body do some really amazing things."
"Hermione!" Minerva laughed as she was tugged into the bathroom.
They undressed next to each other, their eyes glancing at each other's bodies as more and more skin was revealed. Hermione wondered at the caution in Minerva's eyes and tried to figure out how long it had been since she'd last made love to Minerva. When she realised it was longer than she could really recall, she knew it was too long. To make up for it, she grabbed her love round her middle and held on.
"I love you, Minerva."
"I love you as well, Leanna," Minerva smiled, tangling their fingers over her belly. "Come. Bathe and then we'll reconvene in bed?"
"Depends if we can still walk at the end of it," Hermione grinned as she pushed Minerva gently towards the shower. Minerva's laughter filled her with happiness and she hummed as she joined her under the water.
"Oh," she hummed. "I have been asleep for 3 days, I can feel it."
"Are you alright?" Minerva asked, sobering a little.
"Yes, just a little tight in places," Hermione stroked her cheek. "Nothing a little exercise won't help."
Minerva snorted and tipped her hair back under the water.
"Bloody hell but you are beautiful," Hermione whispered as she pressed herself against Minerva's front and slid her hands into her hair. "I know you prefer to do it yourself, but may I?"
"Darling," Minerva rebuked gently.
Hermione kissed her throat and spun her around. She spent a long time washing her long hair and massaging her scalp. The moan that Minerva whispered made her stomach tighten but she forced herself not to rush. After they lathered each other up while Minerva's conditioner set, a quick rinse was all Hermione could stand before she pushed Minerva gently against the tiles.
"May I?"
"I do not think you will ever need to ask, Leannan."
"I will always ask, as I will always listen if you said no."
"I'm not saying no, love."
Hermione held Minerva's face in her hands and kissed her softly.
"I never want to hurt you, or make you feel as though you -"
Minerva kissed her back and Hermione smiled against her lips. She eased Minerva a step backwards and she arched as the tiles pressed on her back.
"Oh," Hermione said, knowing her face would show her desperation. "You are -"
She didn't wait much longer, she enveloped her lover's nipple and hummed at the mean she got again.
"I love the noises you make when I make love to you," Hermione whispered over the water. "I love the way you clutch at me when you want me."
"I -" Minerva moaned again. "Always want you, Leannan."
Hermione grinned and kissed her way down as she knelt before her love.
"My queen." Her hands traced from ankle to hip as Minerva pressed more of her back against the cold tiles. Goosebumps trailed Hermione's fingers and when Hermione slid her tongue between Minerva's lips another moan made Hermione's heart thump happily. She made love to Minerva with her mouth, using her considerable strength to make sure the woman kept her feet.
"Oh, my love," Minerva whispered as her hand tightened in Hermione's hair. "Tha gaol agam ort. Tha mi air do ionndrainn gu mòr. Feuch, mo ghaol. Mas e do thoil e!" [I love you. I have missed you so much. Please, my love. Please.]
"Patience, mo ghaol, patience."
"Her -" Hermione smiled as she felt Minerva's body tense and slid her tongue as far as it could go. "FUCK!"
Hermione moaned as her own body reacted to the sound of Minerva, unbridled with anything. She gripped Minerva's hips tighter and tried to wind her up again.
"No, I -"
"No?" Hermione asked as she licked her lips. "No?"
"No, yes, I -"
Hermione could feel her trembling and she stood and wrapped Minerva up in her arms.
"Easy," Hermione grinned. "I've got you."
"Don't be so smug."
"I do love it when you can't speak after I make you cum."
She got a gentle pinch to her arse for it.
"Cocky."
"God, I hope not."
"Hermione."
She laughed and kissed Minerva gently.
"Let me take you to bed," Hermione said softly. "Let me lay you down and show you how much I've missed you and now I know just how much you accomplished during my nap, just how proud I am of you."
Minerva's eyes filled with tears as Hermione met them and she pulled her into her arms again.
"Do people tell you that, anymore?"
"I don't think anyone has ever told me that, if we're being honest."
"Oh," Hermione gaped. "What?"
"Albus, perhaps -"
"Min -"
"I told you," Minerva shrugged as they turned off the water and got out. "My family and I did not always see eye to eye."
"But, they didn't -"
"Darling, we are getting just a little off track."
"No we're not!" Hermione huffed as she stood in the buff with her hands on her hips. "Madam, you are telling me that nobody except me, ever, has ever told you how proud they were of you?"
"Darling, it's not that much of a -"
She couldn't say anything else as her mouth was too busy. Hermione grinned against her lips and slid her hands over her hips and over her arse.
"Permit me?" Hermione asked breathlessly.
"Ge bith dè a thogras tu." [Whatever you like.]
"I love it when you speak Gaelic."
Minerva squeaked as Hermione flexed her biceps and picked Minerva up. She smiled at the laugh from Minerva and looked up at her with all the love in the world.
"Darling," Minerva whispered when she felt it. "I know you are proud of me, I feel it. I do not need words."
"Even so," Hermione muttered as she carried her love into the bedroom. "Know that I plan to tell you so, more often."
She let Minerva drop just a little on the bed and smiled down at her as she straddled her middle.
"Maybe when I kiss you, every time I kiss you, I'll tell you."
"That might get old, don't you think?" Minerva smiled.
"No, love, I don't think so."
Hermione kissed both of Minerva's hands and pressed them above her head.
"A sticking charm, or no?" she asked softly. Minerva's nipples tightened and Hermione smiled at the tell. "Thank you for being honest," she teased.
Minerva jerked her hips defiantly and Hermione giggled.
"Mmm," Hermione whispered as she looked down at her. "You're right, you know. There is something about knowing that you are completely at my mercy."
Minerva groaned and closed her eyes.
"Would that help?" Hermione whispered. "Would you prefer me to -"
She Transfigured a pillowcase to a blindfold and offered it. Minerva did think about it for a moment and Hermione smiled easily at the trepidation in Minerva's soul.
"Not this time," she said, making the decision for them. Minerva nodded.
"I want you," Hermione said softly. "To relax and enjoy this. And I plan to drag it out as long as possible."
"Oh, love, I -"
"We have nowhere to be, nothing to do. I can keep you coming for hours."
Minerva moaned at the thought, even with the trepidation but Hermione didn't let her dwell on it. She leaned over her and let their bodies press together as she kissed her deeply. What followed was a systematic attempt to touch every part of Minerva's body with her lips. Once she'd finished marking the front of her, Hermione sat back and flipped the woman over, simultaneously releasing her hands and then sticking them back down again.
"Oh, leannan," Minerva groaned as her fingers stretched and gripped the sheets.
"I'm not letting you off so easily," Hermione chuckled. "But I seem to remember that I promised you a rub down at some point."
"I believe I told you not to tease me."
"I haven't even started yet," Hermione promised.
Minerva huffed and Hermione watched as she gave in.
"That's the way."
Hermione's sure fingers started at the back of Minerva's neck and progressed all the way down her body until she sat massaging Minerva's feet for just a little while.
"You are so beautiful," Hermione muttered as she trailed her fingernails up Minerva's calves. The goosebumps were back and she smiled when Minerva's back arched as she went a little higher. "Still okay with this -"
"My darling, I think you'll find -" Hermione fingers slipped between her thighs.
"I definitely found it."
Minerva's face dropped back to the bed with a groan but Hermione wasn't too worried. She liked teasing Minerva twofold; in body and in mind. She shuffled up the bed and nudged her legs apart.
"Okay?"
Minerva made a noise that was very unlike her as her hips twitched.
"Oh, yes," Hermione whispered as she lifted Minerva's hips so she was on her knees. "You like this, yes?"
Minerva pulled on her hands and Hermione released them and watched as Minerva leaned up on her elbows.
"That's my woman," Hermione whispered. "You ready?"
Minerva had passed beyond words but her mind was wide open.
Please.
"I have you, lover. Breathe with me."
Love -
Hermione kneeled up behind her and draped herself over Minerva's back. She reached forward and slid her hand over Minerva's stomach while the woman mewled desperately.
"I love it when you get so desperate you cannot even speak."
Will you fucking -
Minerva arched as Hermione slid her fingers inside. Hermione, now, was the one to make a noise at the angle of Minerva's body under her. She was soaked and Hermione had no trouble sliding in an extra finger and judging from the noise Minerva made further, she wasn't opposed to it either.
"Yes, my love," Hermione encouraged. "Take your pleasure from me." Minerva gasped as her hips started to twitch. "You can," Hermione whispered. "You can take your pleasure from me, mo ghaol."
Minerva hesitated just a little and Hermione reached around and cupped her breast.
"Take it from me, love."
Her hips slowly began to move and as they did, her breath became more laboured and tiny, little noises escaped Minerva' iron clutch. She gasped as she did a particularly long roll and Hermione dragged her fingernails down her back as she knelt up to change the angle.
"I love you," Hermione whispered. She nudged Minerva's legs wider and pressed on her back. "My turn, babe."
Minerva gasped as Hermione began in earnest. Her fingers slipped so easily into Minerva's body and she used it to her advantage as she sped up.
The bow in Minerva's back made Hermione's breath catch and she leaned back over to sink her teeth into Minerva's shoulder.
She came spectacularly. Her arms gave way and they crashed to the bed but her body was no longer in her control as Hermione kept moving. Her breath caught and her toes curled next to Hermione's and she managed another gasp as Hermione kissed the spot she'd bitten. As she started to shake, Hermione eased out of her and wrapped her up in her arms.
"Breathe, my love. Just breathe. I have you." Minerva gripped onto her arms and took a few shaky breaths. They lay quietly together until Minerva's breathing eased and she altered her desperate grip on Hermione's forearms. "Okay?" Hermione whispered.
"You manage to break me so effectively," Minerva muttered. "I do not know what to do with myself afterwards."
"Let me put you back together, lover."
Minerva sighed and rolled over, tucking herself under Hermione's chin.
"I love you, Hermione. Not for the -" She shuddered. "I love you."
I know that, my love. And I know the sex is great but that isn't why. I'm a part of you and you are a part of me and we are one, together. Thank you for taking care of our family while I was down. Thank you for being there for me when I need you. Thank you for being so strong, Minerva, when I cannot be.
Minerva looked into her eyes and smiled.
"Perhaps you'll let me return the favour?" Minerva asked as her fingers trailed a path up to her nipple.
-0-
We drew 2-2 but it's going to be okay. We're going to win the title. We are...
We are.
