A/N: So, I just literally thought of where this story was going while I was making hot cocoa and getting my cat out of the milk…hence the ending….now READ before I die of anticipation! And don't forget to leave lovely little reviews! They make my day full of sunshine…And, BTW, I'm thinking of a sequel, so tell me what you think…

Winter

Without waiting for a response from Minerva, Hermione prepared herself for a visit to Hogwarts. She packed minimally, since she could always make a trip to Hogsmeade if the occasion would call for it.

She gathered up her things in a trunk and somehow managed to convince Crookshanks and the new kitten into a magically enchanted bag with room aplenty for both of them.

As she put on her coat, wrapped her scarf around her neck, and got her gloves on her graceful hands, she went around her small flat to make sure everything was in order before she made her hasty leave.

When all was right in the eyes of the young witch, she stuck her wand in her pocket, grabbed the bags and the felines, and apparated right outside the grounds of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Although, from an outside glance, one could not have guessed that it was a place of education. The grounds were quite barren and white, and there was not a student to be seen anywhere. 'End of term break should be the cause of this.' Hermione thought to herself as she opened the gate.

After what seemed like an odyssey through a frigid blizzard, she arrived at the castle doors and reached for the handle. Before she made contact, however, the door burst open and one very distraught looking Minerva McGonagall nearly died of shock.

"HERMIONE JANE GRANGER!" Hermione flinched as that Scottish anger she was all too familiar with made its' unwanted appearance. In fact, she was so shocked, she dropped her luggage, and the bag the cats were resting in toppled over and opened.

Crookshanks immediately sprinted out and into the castle, no doubt to venture the long forgotten corridors of Hogwarts. The small kitten, however, hesitantly poked her head out of the bag before making her appearance. With a soft meow, the kitten found her owners' feet and began to rub Hermione's legs in pursuit of warmth.

Hermione bent down and picked up the small kitten, stroking it's head and eliciting a purr of delight from the frail thing.

Before Minerva had another chance to yell about the stupidity of Hermione wandering about in the Winter's chill, the younger witch gently placed the content kitten in Minerva's arms where it continued to nestle around to generate some sort of heat.

"Your heart, dearest." Hermione whispered as a startled Minerva looked up, tears forming in the corners of her magnificent Emerald orbs. "I couldn't have just let it die out in the cold, now could I?" she said as she wiped away the crystals from her beloved's cheek.

Minerva smiled for what seemed like the first time in ages as the kitten rubbed her head under the older witches' chin. "No, I should hope not…" Minerva smiled. "Now do come in before you catch pneumonia, dearest. It's much too cold out here for any living being. Let's get you in and warmed up, shall we?"

Hermione raised an eyebrow and smiled mischievously. "Why, Professor McGonagall, I thought you'd never ask."

Minerva blushed and picked up Hermione's luggage for her. "Professor? I haven't been your professor in years. Please, call me Minerva for heaven's sakes!" she insisted, completely steering around the sexual reference she believed Hermione had made.

"Minerva."

"Much better," was the only reply as the three made their way into the warmth, away from the dead of…

Winter.