A/N: I'm here, I'm here. The Olympics has been so exciting and now it's over, I'm not quite sure what to do with myself. Story wise I need to wrap up a few things and then I suppose we'll get to the business of fighting? Is there something I've missed that needs to be wrapped up before we move onto that bit? Y'all know more than I do what's in this thing. I'm sure I still haven't corrected the mistake about Alec from about a hundred chapters ago. I will do that eventually. Anyhoo. Thank you all for sticking with me. I know it's tough to stick to something that is a little bit less scheduled but we will simply do our best.

My love to all of you. My own little band of Draconvir.

-0-

Hermione had napped on the sofa after creating a mountain of parchments full of thoughts and half-formed plans. Eventually she wanted to pick the brains of all of the Draconvir in order to add some proper information to the tomes in Narcissa's room. Michael's clearing throat pulled her from sleep.

"Good morrow?" he asked quietly.

"Hmm," she blinked. He'd kept her company while she'd scratched out her thoughts, given her an easy ear to air her thoughts to even if he could not quite grasp some of it. "What's going on?"

"Not a lot, just informing you that some of the residents below ground are up and eating breakfast. They requested the option to stay?"

"That's all we need," Hermione sighed.

For whatever reason she felt so dejected in the face of the changes that had occurred and she could not shake it. She'd thought that maybe after writing down her thoughts, her mind might be eased some, but so far, it was not.

"Most likely because you are taking on the world once again, Leannan," Minerva said gently as she joined her on the sofa. "Without leaning on anyone else for help." Hermione smiled sadly as Minerva nudged her solidly with her hip and she chuckled as Minerva immediately lay down beside her. "I've missed you," Minerva admitted quietly. "We must not forget why we are fighting. We are fighting so that we - all of our family, and all of our friends - may have peace."

Hermione sighed and ran her fingers through her hair.

"And what if it is not enough? What if we cannot do this?"

"We can," Minerva shrugged. "I see and feel your power, my love. We can do this."

"And what will it cost?"

"As long as it does not cost you, it will cost what it is worth."

Hermione huffed childishly and pressed her face into Minerva's neck.

And what if it does?

Minerva did not speak, or think anything at all but Hermione could feel a chasm of despair open beneath her ribs.

Then I will follow you to our next adventure and take as many of them with me as I do so.

Hermione didn't reply but she felt their bond gently ease some of the sadness.

"Why are you so maudlin?"

"Dunno," Hermione muttered. "Hormones is a convenient answer, though I've lost track anyway?"

"Oh bollocks," Minerva laughed. "Well, my love, what can I do in the meantime?"

"Hold me?"

"Am I not doing that already?"

"Let me cry?"

"Darling," Minerva immediately sobered and pulled her impossibly closer. "Leannan, look at me?" Hermione wiped a few tears on Minerva's robe and shifted a little so she could do that. Minerva caught the last few on her thumb and leaned to kiss her softly. "You can always cry, always, no matter the reason. You have not, for a very long time, and it is alright if that is what you need at this moment. Despite all this, you are quite human."

"Am I?"

"Yes," Minerva soothed with soft kisses over her face. "Quite human. I should know, I've had my hands on every part of you."

Hermione snorted and curled her fists in Minerva's shirt.

"Feels like so long ago," Hermione muttered.

"That's because a lot has happened since then. Michael?"

"My lady," he replied cheekily.

"What are our esteemed guests doing right now?"

"Waking and breaking fast, mah lady."

"Well," Minerva smiled down at her and Hermione felt it in her chest. "How about we rise and join them and tonight we go home for a while and I'll run you a bath and give you a night of luxury just in case it really is hormones to blame?"

"Minerva McGonagall, luxury," Hermione teased gently.

"Ah'll have you know I'm known for my hedonism."

Hermione grinned as she sat up and traced Minerva's face.

"Any time I get to share with you, alone, is perfection at its best."

"Flatterer," Minerva soothed. "Now -" She kissed Hermione with a smile. "You, shower? And then we shall go down."

"Yeah," Hermione smiled. "You could join me?"

"I will join you later," Minerva chuckled. "Go and get yourself ready for a full day. Take that time to reset and then we will go down together."

"Fine," Hermione groaned. She smirked, trying not to give anything away as she leaned up on her hands and straddled Minerva's middle. "You sure?"

Minerva's hands gripped Hermione's hip and the other moved up into her hair and they shared a heated kiss.

"Trouble," Minerva whispered affectionately as they parted. "Nothing but bloody Trouble."

"Just the way you like me," Hermione demurred as she leaned in for another kiss. "Are you sure you're too busy -"

"Shower," Minerva hissed as she sat them up and lifted Hermione from her and to her feet. "We have to go and greet our guests. I imagine some of them will want to discuss staying and at this point, given what has happened, I'm sure we cannae deny them."

"Urgh, Michael said as much," Hermione groaned. "Fine."

She pulled Minerva up with her and just before she left, reached around and pinched her backside gently, giggling at the squeak that the woman made. She had stripped long before she turned on the shower and she did as she was told, once again, and luxuriated in the water for as long as she felt she could. The melancholy was waning and she wondered how much of that was because she had missed Minerva just like Minerva had missed her.

She washed her hair and felt just a little more human as she wrapped herself up in a towel that the Castle had warmed for her. After dressing and deciding just to let her hair do whatever it wanted to, she went back into the living room to find Minerva rifling through the parchments she'd left on her desk.

"These are good," Minerva nodded approvingly as she joined her. "These perhaps are a bit ambitious for the numbers we have but these will work."

"Just thoughts and things, I didn't sleep much."

"I gathered," Minerva smiled as she turned. "Now. How are you really?"

"Better," Hermione promised. "I need to eat and then today we will finally either invite Blake to join us or we'll let him go on his way. I cannot have him languishing in a cell for the rest of the war."

"You can feel him." It wasn't a question and Hermione didn't answer it as one. Their eyes met and in them, the truth. Minerva knew she could because Minerva, evidently, also could. "Come on," Minerva kissed her forehead. "Food first."

They walked hand in hand down to the Chamber and Hermione smiled as she caught Amalle leaving their little house down the corridor.

"How are you doing with all that?"

"As odd as it seems?" Minerva said quietly. "Since she has cut her hair, it has helped. On the one hand I loved my grandmother more than any other. But on the other, she no longer looks like my mother, or me. That has helped."

"Good," Hermione smiled. "I am glad for both of you. It would do you both good to explore that now."

They entered the main chamber and the silence was so abrupt they both stopped. Hermione glanced around at her friends and family and rolled her eyes.

"You do know we only saw you all yesterday, right?"

In a surprising move, Narcissa was the one to stand.

"We apologise," she chuckled. "It is good to see you both again. Please -"

Minerva smiled and led Hermione to the seat at the end of the table. Hermione sighed at the little burst of emotion when Minerva squeezed Severus' shoulder on the way past.

"Well get on with it then," Minerva huffed once they'd sat down and nobody had recommenced eating.

Harry giggled and helped himself to more bacon and things went back to normal. Hermione watched with interest as the group dynamics played out before them. It was utterly fascinating to see Molly, who was usually the most forceful of the bunch, being slightly more careful about what she was doing.

Narcissa outranks her, and she knows it.

Out - What?

In purebred society, Narcissa Black is above the Weasleys. Had Molly not married Arthur, it perhaps wouldn't be quite as stark but it is what it is. Also, Narcissa has been here the longest. I am not upset that she feels some type of ownership over the place. We could do a lot worse.

It's disgusting, you know that right?

Of course, Minerva snorted as she put two pieces of toast on Hermione's plate. My mother was a Ross.

Hermione made a conciliatory noise and dug into her breakfast. She was so caught up in her thoughts that as she reached for her drink, she brought it to her lips and Minerva's hand shot out to grab it before she could take a sip.

"Hey!" Hermione almost yelled. "What the hell was that for?"

"Boys!" Minerva's voice was like a whip crack and the Weasley twins at the end of the table blushed to their hair. "Are you actually insane? Have you any idea what could have happened?"

"What has happened?" Hermione blinked and looked down at her goblet. She blinked and pulled a face. "Oh. Sorry, love."

"Quite alright," Minerva soothed, taking the goblet and swapping it with her own. "Now -"

Molly was turning pinker by the second but Minerva seemed unphased. With a flick of her fingers The Twins were covered in frogspawn and she nodded and dusted off her hands.

"Do not ever do that again, am I clear?"

"Yes, McG."

"Sorry, McG."

Molly pulled out her wand to clean up the mess and Hermione hid her smile in Minerva's goblet as she looked over at them. It was clear from Minerva's face that Molly was not to clean it up and she sat back down without another word.

"This is weird," Ron muttered loud enough for them to hear.

"It is that," Minerva said gently. "But we will get used to it soon. Finish up your breakfasts and then we shall discuss what I know most of you are dying to discuss."

Poppy came over and whispered something in Minerva's ear before she moved to Hermione's side and leaned on her shoulders.

"I have to go, Will needs help at St. Mungo's."

"Is everything -"

"I don't know, but I'll owl if I can't get back."

"Be careful," Hermione said quietly as she took Poppy's hand. She felt the worry and the anticipation and let it sink into her instead.

"Thank you sweetheart," Poppy muttered. "Let Min take care of you today. You look tired, which you haven't looked in a long time."

"Yeah," Hermione promised. "I will."

Poppy kissed her temple and then Minerva's as well before the strode out of the room with only a pause next to Alec. The two whispered quietly and then she left without another word.

"Guess it's time, then," Hermione muttered.

"We're with you Hermione," Narcissa said gently from her other side. "Whatever you need."

"Thank you," she smiled sadly. "Have you made more progress with Blake? I think I need to give him his ultimatum today. I cannot have him just hanging around and I do not want to imprison him indefinitely."

"Actually, yes. After Gringotts, he realised that he wasn't quite as well informed as he thought he was and he's been a little bit more humble."

"Good," Hermione nodded.

Ready?

Whenever you are, Leannan.

"Right," Hermione said loudly as she stood. The table was humongous and she needed just a little force to make sure it carried. "I think it is time that you all considered coming here for the time being. I know that it is not ideal but while it is still the holidays there is not really a better time to do so. I am going to ask the Castle to give us an entrance and exit onto the back of the grounds so we aren't coming in the front door every time, but please consider this. If you are here, I expect you to be here. I cannot have everyone coming and going without some order. There is going to be enough to be getting on with that I will need your thoughts and specialties in the coming weeks. As you know, the Ministry has fallen and we need to be prepared for open warfare now. They clearly are not worried about appearances so I do not think we should be either. Molly?" The woman blinked up at her. "Please contact Charlie and Bill. I would love to meet Charlie soon to discuss our Dragon friends and Bill needs to decide whether he wants him and Fleur here for the time being. I will contact Remus and the rest to set up something in London. If you need to go to your homes, we will devise a schedule for you to do that. I want at least one extra to go with you in case of ambush."

The tension ramped up and Hermione struggled for a moment with the despair.

"Guys," she muttered, looking up and realising that Alastor had both of his eyes fixed on her. "It's going to be hard, I don't say this lightly, but we are going to have to fight. And it will be us. I cannot guarantee the bravery and strength of those outside these walls but in here? In here, we must fight. I have a few ideas already, and I'm sure we will all have others. For the time being, at least, we will protect our own while we prepare. Bring what you cannot stand to lose, leave everything else behind. We will rebuild after we've won this thing."

Most of them stood with a lot of scraping chairs and disappeared to their respective homes. Hermione watched the Twins vying with Alec to get out of the doors first and she chuckled as she shook her head.

"Dunno if we can manage three troublemakers?"

"Oh, Alec will keep them in line."

"Are you worried?"

"You know I am not," Minerva smirked. "Though you don't want me to come with you and I do not not want you to go alone."

"I will join her," Severus said quietly. "It is only fair that I failed you, so, that I will make up by protecting her."

"Severus," Minerva sighed. "You did not fail anyone. Please tell me you are not still carrying that around."

"I must. You were hurt because I was caught unawares."

"You were both caught unawares because I should have been the one to go to him first," Hermione said quietly. "That said, if you are willing then I would appreciate your company."

"Fine." Severus said sharply. "I will be back soon," he hesitated and Hermione looked over at Minerva and tried as hard as she could to keep the little smile off her face. "My love."

"And I will be right here when you get back, mon amour."

They didn't turn but Hermione could just see out of the corner of her eye when Severus leaned down and kissed her. This, as far as she was aware, was quite new and she grinned at Draco as he watched on in horror.

Speak to Draco, will you? She chuckled in their head. He looks like he's going to be sick.

I will, Minerva promised. You be careful.

I will.

Hermione stood and pressed a kiss to Minerva's crown. Their hands remained joined as she pulled away and joined Severus around the table.

Their walk was silent up until the last turn before the cell.

"I would like to thank you. Properly."

"You don't need to, Severus," Hermione said softly as they stopped. "It is okay to simply enjoy the freedom this has brought."

"No, you do not understand. I cannot -" He looked away and stared at nothing for a long time. "I am working on being more effusive with my thoughts but you are still a know-it-all so you will forgive me if I am -" He hesitated. "Brusque."

"You would not be you, if you were not," Hermione teased gently.

"Even now I feel guilt that I am not spying for the Order. I feel as though you freeing me was a poor move on your part. And I feel like you made a mistake." Hermione opened her mouth to argue but he held up his hand. "I know Albus feels the same. But." He turned back and looked at her dead in the eyes. "The peace and love you have brought into my life, first by freeing me and then, by rescuing Narcissa is something I will never be able to repay. If it comes to it, Hermione Granger, please accept my life in payment for this moment of true happiness."

Minerva reared up in her head and Hermione winced at the force of it.

You tell that bastar' that he is no' to do anythin' so bloody stupid -

Will you be quiet please.

Minerva's thoughts stopped immediately and she felt the embarrassment from the other woman immediately.

"Severus?" she said gently. "Quite besides the fact that should you fall, my love will never recover, I would not fight as hard as I did to bring you this moment of happiness only to let you let it slip away in payment of a debt you do not owe. You have done your bit for the Order. You helped us when we needed it the most, you fought in the shadows and took everyone's hatred while doing something so noble, I bet it makes you feel just a little bit ill sometimes."

For the first time ever, Hermione Granger got to see Severus Snape laugh a little.

"You are not wrong," he snorted. "It sickens me."

"And yet," Hermione smiled. "Love looks so very good on you both that you must continue to wear it for us all to see. Minerva tells me often that we must not forget why we are fighting, Severus, and that is the number one reason."

He fidgeted with his hands for a long time before he quickly reached forward and squeezed her forearm. She patted his hand in the second it was there and then he stepped back and took a deep breath.

"Shall we?"

"Yes. It's time."