Ding Ding Ding

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Ding Ding Ding

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Ding Ding CLICK

A groggy Minerva McGonagall reached over to her bedside table and closed the lid on her cherished pocket watch. It had been a birthday gift long ago from her late brother Robert. A gift 'for the girl who was never late yet somehow never needed to know the time nor set an alarm' he had lamented. Decades ago that was indeed true. Now, she needed a little help periodically. Especially on a day like today. So much excitement over the last weeks. An unusual schedule with a lot of physical activity while still keeping up with school business. Then the game this morning. Her own excitement contained under the discipline of training and leadership. The elation of the win. The trepidation over what was to come later. Her decision before the nap to not hold secret her feelings any more. She was actually rather surprised that she had been able to nod off.

A wave of her hand was enough for the easy wandless magic of opening the curtains to let in the afternoon light. A yawn and a long graceful stretch fully pulled her back to the here and now. She leaned up onto her elbows and bent her long neck backwards releasing a stream of crackling sounds from her spine. She owed Rolanda a few nights off for sure. All the physical training for weeks before the match meant that she was not in the least bit sore now. The venerable Headmistress took a deep breath causing the soft sheets to caress her skin sending tingles all the way down to her toes. Even though alone her own bedroom, she blushed slightly. It was unusual for her to enter her bed naked and she felt strangely naughty.

After the match, there had been a simple light lunch in the main hall for all the players and their families and as many students as could fit. The remaining fans from either school had moved their celebration to Hogsmeade, a swarm of Aurors patrolling to ensure nothing got too far out of hand. As the lunch broke up, many of the players headed away to rest before the big celebration that evening, during which the head Goblin from Gringotts would announce how much each school had earned.

Due to the guests present, decorum for lunch had dictated that the Headmistress be seated at the head table with Headmaster Tchekov, the primary players from both teams, and the referee. This filled the table and meant Professor Hermione Granger was seated at the head of Gryffindor table. As Tchekov leaned to his right to talk to Aurora, Minerva had turned her eyes towards the Gryffindor table spying the head of beautiful brown hair that was soon to belong to her. As was now quite normal, Hermione felt the eyes on her and looked up with a little smile on her lips. She threw a quick "air kiss" Minerva's way causing the Headmistress to raise a wary eyebrow and give the tiniest of grins before being drawn back to talk to Tchekov.

The light meal completed and everyone headed away, some of the Durmstrang team back to their quarters in the Room of Requirements and some into Hogsmeade. Hermione quickly flowed into place beside her love as Minerva headed towards her office and private rooms. The unlikely pair rose through the revolving spiral staircase and entered the Headmistress' outer office. After the match had ended, everyone had helped remove pads and then returned to their quarters for quick showers and to redress. Therefore this was the first moment that Minerva and Hermione had actually been alone since right before the match.

Minerva stopped just in front of her desk, looking up at portrait after portrait of former Headmasters and Headmistresses. Faces stared blankly back at her as they were more used to talking dryly about the school's history or the correct amount of nutmeg for the perfect Sangaree or who-invented-what-spell-when arguments or of course how Minerva was "softer" on the children than ever they were (other than Albus). Romantic relationship advice was not their forte. The usual comforting and confidence building air of her office was now replaced by something akin to the feeling of deep sea diving.

Her breaths came short as her heart raced. Hands, now seemingly charged with electricity wound around her trim waist and a body flowed around to her front, never losing touch, as the younger witch had done so many times before. A familiar fragrance permeated her nose as a head of auburn hair tucked under her chin and into her left shoulder. Hermione didn't even have to put her ear down to feel the thumping going on in Minerva's chest. A unexpected chuckle broke the tension, "Minerva dear, just relax." The older witches' chest rose slowly and the breath released. Then another.. and another… as the tension eased.

Hermione leaned back, staring into beautiful green eyes, slightly dilated, slightly worried. Oh how Hermione wanted to calm Minerva, to let her know it was to be a dream come true…. But not yet…. Not now... She had special plans.

Hermione leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on nervous lips. She lingered, but not too long. This was to calm, to comfort, not to tantalize. However, she could not help the, "Mmmmmmmm" that came as a groan from her throat as she pulled away.

Minerva took in another deep breath, finally pulling out the courage that faced down Death Eaters. She smiled and brought up her right hand to caress a soft, young cheek with her knuckles.

Wise eyebrows raised up, "Sorry, a wee bit nervous I admit."

Hermione squeezed a waist reassuringly, "Don't be. Know I love you and we will be nothing but perfect together. But for now, I want you rested and simply ready to shine tonight. I'm taking my first right as your partner and I'm telling the Headmistress to relax, do no school business on this monumental day. Take a nap. Rise and meet me at the ball when it is time."

Hermione smiled and placed another quick peck on warm lips before extracting herself from the Headmistress' quarters. She needed to go help in the Great Hall before retiring to her own quarters to prepare.

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The Great Hall had once again been transformed as only Hogwarts could be. Whether through the power of the castle itself, or through the spirit of the current Headmistress and all those before her, or through the energy of the hundreds of young, eager hearts inhabiting the towers, the hall was no longer a room. It was bright and full of color and rather like a giant outdoor party. Twas not only the ceiling that was enchanted to show a field view of a Quidditch game on high, but the stone walls of the room were masked to look like viewing stands. Ghosts and spirits from across the wizarding world had come in for their own reunion and to watch a ghostly game being played in the imaginary realm above. The colors of both schools permeated the room as wide streams of cloth flowed from infinity and down between the various set of stands. The raised platform of the room had become a bandstand for the event near the base of one set of goals, decorated by the two Honor Challenge team banners, a special Honor Challenge Winner's banner, and some stands and chairs for the band soon to arrive. Tables of twelve, enough for several hundred guests arched at a distance from the raise platform allowing for a ample dance floor.

Deputy Headmaster Flitwick, already in an impressive set of ivory dress robes, was directing final preparations from the platform. The Hogwart's elves were popping in and out presetting the dinner settings. Student and instructor volunteers were running around spelling decorations onto the centers of the tables and setting out the hors d'oeuvres on a long buffet table in the back of the room near what the wall was showing to be one of the team's entrance tunnels. The starters were a mix of favorites from the north and from England. Some of the plates involved smoked salmon, small fish cakes, Jarlsberg and Fontina cheese items with a healthy peppery flavor to most things while other plates were filled by pork and fennel meatballs, scotch eggs, feta and cucumber canapes, stilton cheese bites, and many other savories. The band had arrived and was tuning up… quietly. Soon as they had tried to blast out a rock number, the Deputy Headmaster had made it clear, with a mild Relashio spell to get their attention, that they were to contain their sound level until he was finished. They had chosen to dress as Quidditch referees, albeit with top hats and a flair of long ribbons at their wrists and belts using both team colors.

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The venerable Headmistress looked at herself in the mirror approvingly. In years past, she would have simply picked a refined set of dress robes to wear to an event such as this. But ever since the Halloween Ball, she had decided to wear clothes that demonstrated a more celebratory aspect to events. Even though that one ball ended on a harsh note, the spirit of celebration and of the letting down of everyone's guard had inspired such gaiety in the students and faculty that she wanted to continue to set a good example. That one event had led to brighter colors and designs diverting far from dress robes, even for the men, being sold out of all the clothing stores and used for other special events. So she had commissioned a rare treat. Now whether it was a treat for herself or for Hermione could be debated. It was a long sheath lace Arabic evening dress in emerald green with bursts of gold beading in the loose, flowing back cape. Large Celtic knots just a few shades of green lighter in color were sprinkled into the dress fabric to create contrast. The high neck and tight fitting hips and sleeves complemented her best physical features. A bit more eye makeup than the norm in violet, a coral glow on her lips, a rose dusting of her cheeks and her ebony/grey hair in a rare show of free flowing soft waves with a section held back by an ornate jade comb set the final look.

Winding her arms in front of her body, she gazed into her looking glass with a grin, "Not bad old girl. Not bad at all." The nap and Hermione's kind words had done wonders for her nerves. They loved each other. Surely the physical expression of it could only be joyful and compassionate. She felt a rush of heat in her chest and was glad of the dress' design to hide such reactions, at least for awhile. Minerva pocketed her wand in a low skirt pocket and confidently left her rooms headed to the Great Hall.

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After sending Minerva off to bed, Professor Hermione Granger had helped in the Great Hall. She'd turned down some offers to go into Hogsmeade not wanting to be pressed for time later. Returning to her quarters, she was too excited to rest and besides, she hadn't even played in the match. To help the time pass, she reviewed the grading on the recent potions class assignment marking a few of the parchments with some additional comments. Taking a look at the lesson plan for the next few weeks, she noted a few changes. Then she reshelved some books, reread an article on transfiguration, and idly practiced transfiguring a needle into a dagger, a dagger into a key, a key into a spinner, and then back to a needle. No matter what she was doing though, one thought kept a slow burn going in her belly.

Looking up at the clock, she noted that although a bit early she could finally start getting ready. To refresh her hair and makeup and try to relax some, Hermione took a long shower. As the hot water pelted her skin, there was a momentary impulse of relieving some of the tension in her loins but the potion professor banished the thought. She resolved to save it all for Minerva. First of the surprises to put on, the last that would come off, the young professor pulled a small box out of her chest of drawers. Real money…, she'd spent real English pounds on this and had to use Amazon to get it here. Again, sometimes no magic could create the perfection of handworked design and fabrics. She slowly pulled out the Aubade Paris Fleurs de Pommier Half-Cup Balconette bra in pale pink and a complementing Aubade Italian Bikini brief. She'd only tried them on once, a week ago, and had an appreciable reaction when looking in the mirror. Nothing had made Hermione feel so sexy, so titillating, so womanly as fast as these undergarments had. With a blush, Professor Granger remembered having to hand-wash the briefs immediately.

Hermione took time to magically work on her hair. She wanted a nice updo with silky ringlets with violet and dark pink ribbons woven in to match her dress. Ahhhh, the dress, another part of the surprise. She'd returned to the Triwizard Tournament Ball dress from years back. Eight delicate layers flowed in steps down the long skirt changing in color from pink to dark rose. The wide open-diamond dark rose front accentuated her smooth skin and perfect neck. Hermione had considered changing it once she'd seen Viktor but this dress had been picked for Minerva and she wanted to stay with it. A symbol, a return to the first time that Hermione had felt beautiful and desired. Now she wanted that dress to bring up that same feeling again but with Minerva. It was not a dress made with magic, it was also handcrafted and had cost her dear galleons taken from the few she had earned tutoring other students those many years ago. The Professor had the dress altered as her chest and hips were a little larger than her teenage self, but that was all.

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The Headmistress of Hogwarts strode into the Great Hall and gasped. The open air feeling was surprising and yet perfect. Every person at the ball would experience the field, the open air, the freed world surrounding them. She was admiring the long streamers flowing upwards between the stands of revelrous apparitions and picked up on the spirited Quidditch game going on above. On high, a particularly flamboyant spirit-player had grabbed the quaffle and was barreling towards the goals, plowing through opposing spirits like the wisps they were and charging broom, quaffle and all through the scoring hoops. Professor Cuthbert Binns, who had never actually played in life, raised his arms in victory and with a grin threw the quaffle back into the fray. Minerva looked up at the floating scoreboard and surely some sort of record was being set with the current score 4,420 to 3,960.

"So what do you think Minerva and by the way, you do look stunning?"

A raised eyebrow and feigned annoyance was quickly followed by a small grin of appreciation to her ever trustable Deputy Headmaster.

She looked around, taking it all in, and nodded, "Filius, it's… it's truly... magnificent."

The Headmistress took in a deep breath of the heavenly mix of scents, of grass, fresh air, a hint of savory morsels already being picked at by early arrivers. She gazed at all the room, the buffet and tables, the stand with band preparing, the grandstands of ghosts frolicking with abandon (and obviously carefully warded to stay put).

Looking down at the white-clad, distinguished looking half-goblin, "My old friend, this victory and the one before is as much yours as any of us. What you've done for this school while we all flittered away in the air. The classes, the detentions, the business you stepped up to and yet on top of it all, here is this beautiful room enchanted beyond my imagination. The bond you have grows with Hogwarts or it would never be able to create such magic and I know someday the school will be yours. You may be short in stature, but you have the heart, power, and courage of a hippogriff. I thank you. We all thank you."

Rare tears of happiness welled up in surprised, humble eyes. He was too dumbfounded to respond. He reached out and gently took Minerva's hand, bringing it to his lips in affirmation and respect and quickly walked away, head held high. The Deputy Headmaster continued on his last duties before the party and positioned a few Professors and Aurors who had agreed to be the chaperones and monitors for the event.

Suddenly, it was as if they were back at this morning's game as a torrent of partygoers starting steadily flooding in. Ministry officials in formal wear down to younger students dressed for merriment entered through the magical team entrance. Plenty of crimson red and black still peppered Durmstrang players and guests but even they had opened up their dress with some obvious additions recently purchased in Hogsmeade. More and more poured in, quickly heading to scoop up some of the finger foods and punch, taking over tables, and looking up laughing at the comical game going on up high.

A particularly rowdy group of revelers entered, Draco and Astoria leading the group. Although some of them were perhaps a bit tipsy, the protective winning Seeker's wife knew her husband. After a few years of alcohol issues, Astoria had put her foot down and worked with Draco on alternatives. A very spicy virgin Bloody Mary sufficed as his party drink now. The group came to a temporary stunned standstill, taking in the magnificence of the setting, before continuing forward to take over some tables.

Headmaster Tchekov, leading several of the Durmstrang team including Viktor Krumm and Haakon Toov, entered wearing a striking crimson formal trimmed in a thick collar of bear fur, his spouse at his arm. Madame Daghild Tchekov was a contrast in white to the Headmaster's darker countenance. Her stark white hair was woven to form a high crown and her pale skin and ice blue eyes almost made the area around her glow. Her gown of silver slowly changed in color to ice blue at the bottom. Her left shoulder sported a patch of white fox fur which continued down and across her back trimming a train of shimmering gossamer material.

Minerva walked directly over to personally greet the Durmstrang Headmaster and his party.

"Welcome to the evening festivities Anton," said the Headmistress with a twinkle in her eyes.

The Headmaster unwound his wife's arm, with a quick bow to both ladies, and extended a free hand to grip Minerva's fingers, bring them up to his lips in respect.

He stood back up to his full height and gazed around the magnificent scene. With a few quick bobs of his head and a quirking of his lips, he replied, "Dee room ees magnificent Minerva. A feeting ending to a vell played game."

Turning to his wife and extending his arm, "May I present my wife, Madame Daghild Tchekov."

The Headmaster's wife nodded graciously to the Headmistress, "An honor Headmistress. Vee thank you for your hospitality."

The Hogwarts Headmistress nodded, "You are most welcome. Welcome to Hogwarts. Please call me Minerva. I know you are an educator in your own rights and I want to congratulate you on the female students I understand you are mentoring. It was good to see a Durmstrang female student's paper on healing charms entered into the Ministry competition this semester."

A cordial conversation continued between the two women as more party goers arrived. Greetings flew from between friend and foe with ease. It was as everyone had hoped. Who won did not ultimately matter, it was the freedom from fear that had been the victor.

Minerva led the Headmaster and his group to a set of tables had been reserved for ministry, Honor Challenge players, and other special guests. She reserved the chair next to her for Hermione while glancing around the now crowded room looking for a special head of auburn hair.

A group of three goblins clad in business attire, one carrying a rolled up parchment tight against his chest, entered the festivities. They blinked in the bright light and immediately pulled out matching sunglasses to better shield their eyes and pressed forward towards the front of the room and the Headmistress' table.

Upon seeing the the Gringotts guests, the Headmistress took a step forward, "Greetings Director Krugkar, so very kind of you to come yourself and announce the results of the fundraising."

The Gringotts Director nodded, "Welcome. Challenge was important. Good match…."

Whatever else the Director said, along with every other sound in the hall, was drowned out by the pounding of Minerva's heart as she zeroed in on a vision as it wove its way through the crowd. Ringlets of auburn hair shined in the enchanted sun. Soft layers of fabric flowed around a curvy form. The air grew still as Hermione approached, a smile on her face at the obvious reaction she was seeing from Minerva.

As she flowed up to the Headmistress' side, Hermione whispered, "Breath dear. You look divine too."

After stifling a choke, Minerva blinked a few times quickly scanning around to see if anyone had noticed her temporary distraction. She sheepishly looked back into brown eyes and rolled her own eyes.

Quickly recovering, the Headmistress looked at Director Krugkar and then Headmaster Tchekov and said, "Shall we?"

As the leads ascended to the stage, the entire room quickly settled to tables or gathered across the dance floor to eagerly hear the results. A blaring whistle from a spirit-referee halted the ghostly Quidditch game and dimmed the outdoor-like setting to be more like early evening.

The Hogwarts Headmistress raised an appreciative hand to quiet the few remaining voices and then began, "Director Krugkar, Headmaster Tchekov, Ministry and School Officials, and all other dignitaries, families, students, and players I welcome you to the culmination of today's Honor Challenge. I want to especially thank Headmaster Tchekov for bringing back this historic tradition to our schools. As you can see, the entire wizarding world has been brought together by this event. I know we are here to have Director Krugkar tell us the ticket sales and betting results but I am compelled to make a change to our agreement."

There was a collective gasp from the crowd.

"This event was a victory for us all and a fair match, well fought on both sides. The banners and prestige shall be enough to signify the winner of the actual game, but for the betterment of education at both schools, I shall amend the agreement so that the monetary proceeds are split evenly."

The combined crowd erupted in cheers during which Headmaster Tchekov made a courteous bow to the Headmistress in acknowledgement of the grand gesture. The Director whipped a unseen pen out from his lapel and quickly unrolled the scroll he had been holding to scribble some new calculations. Once finished, he raised his goblin hand to once again calm the crowd.

"Final monetary results, 50 percent split, each school receives 55,452 galleons, 5 Sickles, 9 Knuts."

Another round of cheers and joviality pounded the invisible walls of the room. Minerva let the cries go on for a moment before once again raised her hand to quiet the crowd.

"Thank you Director Krugkar. Those funds will do a great deal of good for both schools. I'm sure I'm speaking for Headmaster Tchekov when we also want to thank the attendees, families, friends and gamblers that so graciously donated to the joint cause. Now, I need to call Draco Malfoy to the stage."

At one of the front tables, the Malfoy entourage had seated themselves. For the first time in a long time, Lucius and Narcissa had attended an event with their son and everyone was relaxed and still basking in the win. Draco looked around at the familiar faces at the table before squeezing his wife's hand and taking a few steps to be up on the stage to the sound of clapping. The Headmistress and then Headmaster shook Draco's hand.

Once again, a simple hand raised from the vision in emerald quieted the crowd, "Draco, I would like to extend to you the honor of taking the winning Honor Challenge banner and unfurling it over this hall."

To the sounds of more cheering, the proud Seeker took in a deep breath and drew his wand from its side pocket. A quick snap of the wrist at the banner in question and it raised up some 30 feet, seeming to hover in mid-air under the spelled invisible ceiling.

Headmaster Tchekov clasped Draco's shoulder, "Good game, brave man, Draco Malfoy." Draco nodded, acknowledging the tribute and turned to leave the stage.

To end the ceremony, Headmaster Tchekov now raised his own thin hand, "As I instigated dees challenge, I heer-by declare Hogwarts the vinner. Now ve dance und feast."

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All during the ceremony, Hermione had spotted Viktor inching her way, ready to scoop her up for the first dance she surmised. He was still a vision of manhood and had chosen a red Durmstrang formal with a regal shoulder cape of fur and silver fabric.

Sure enough, as soon as Tchekov said 'dance', a large hand extended towards the seated lady.

She glanced up into a familiar but older, confident, serious face and knew what she had to do, "Viktor, my old friend, I know you asked but there is something you don't know."

His face revealed nothing, the hand still extended towards her, expectingly, while her face reeked of apprehension.

Music started to fill the room. At the direction of the visiting Headmaster, the first dance was a classic waltz. The band was using synthesizers and electric string instruments to fill the room with the more classical flair required. Headmaster Tchekov had escorted the Headmistress from the stage and with a deep bow, they joined hands and flowed eloquently across the floor. Haakon Toov escorted Madame Tchekov to the floor while both Malfoy couples also entered the fray. Many others joined in until the floor was a flourish of colorful flowing patterns of people.

Out of the corner of her eye, Minerva had watched Viktor's approach to 'her' Hermione with some degree of angst. She was even so distracted that she missed Anton's leading her into a twirl and they tangled for just a moment.

"Vhat hast you deestracted Minerva," the Durmstrang Headmaster asked with a slight grin. They restarted the turn and this time they flowed seamlessly with the music and the rest of the dancers.

Minerva recentered herself and responded with a smiling façade, "Oh nothing Anton, just been a very exciting day."

The Headmaster's ornate beard framed the wry smile that erupted. He knew more than she thought and perhaps it was time to call off his little play, "Do not vorry dear lady. I eenformed Viktor before dee ball that Professor Granger vas 'occupied' or should I have said 'eengaged'."

A light blush colored her face, but rather than respond with any sort of denial, she resolved to be more open as they would be from this day on, "Well, ah, thank you Anton. It is a new development for me."

Sure enough, as they moved to that side of the floor, Minerva could see Viktor had taken a seat next to Hermione and they were talking cordially.

"Thank you for understanding Viktor," Hermione was just saying.

"Eet vaz a surprise, but I am happy eef my beautiful Hermione has found her match at last," the Durmstrang Seeker responded. "You should havt seen your face though," he said launching into a guttural laugh.

As the waltz ended, Headmaster Tchekov kissed an elegant hand and excused himself to go take his wife into his arms for the slow soft song that was starting up. A lone electric guitar started a slow baseline, then more instruments joined in until the unmistakable main melody of "Wonderful Tonight" resonated through the hall.

The auburn headed Professor could sense the object of her affection coming over finally. Hermione looked up as Minerva came close. Gentleman that he was, Viktor rose and bowed to the Headmistress before excusing himself under the glare of green eyes.

No words were needed. It was Minerva's move to make. She knew this was to make amends for how their last dance had ended. An offered hand was quickly taken up. The older lady pulled and led to the dance floor full of slow dancing, closely fit couples. She pulled Hermione into her body wrapping one arm around her lower waist and curling the other, still holding the younger lady's hand, against her upper chest. Hermione was so happy to be in Minerva's arms in public. Her free hand gently stroked her partner's long, lean body from shoulder to waist as they began to slowly sway to the music.

The lead singer started to sing out the words,

"It's late in the evening; she's wondering what clothes to wear

She puts on her make-up and brushes her long blond hair

And then she asks me, "Do I look alright?"

And I say, "You look wonderful tonight""

Draping her arm over Minerva's shoulder, Hermione softly sang along, "You look wonderful tonight."

The venerable Headmistress blushed and pulled her soon-to-be-lover in even tighter so that she buried her nose to one side of fragrant curls, "So do you my love. You're such a vision. I cannae believe you are in my arms."

From her vantage point watching the proceedings, Professor Aurora Sinistra saw the two ladies and smiled. Others around the dance floor reacted to the obviously intimate pose between the two great witches: some smiled, some raised their eyebrows and whispered in surprise, a very few tsked.

They continued whispering into each other's ears like they were the only two witches in the world. Words of love. Words of permanence and forgiveness. The end of regrets and the beginning of new hopes. During that one song, that would become their song, they started a new life together.

The end of the song brought their heads apart. The Professor desperately wished to kiss her love, but even with the open expression of their relationship, she would never press the Headmistress under the school's roof or elsewhere. Minerva smiled, acknowledging Hermione's restraint and sighed. Just as she was contemplating doing something incredibly sweet, the band started busting out a rock tune that sent every teenager in the room careening onto the dance floor. Hermione started laughing as she pulled Minerva out of the way before they were trampled, or even worse, had to dance to the music.

"Well I never…," gasped Minerva, knowing she was lucky to not be in the middle of what looked to be a giant wrestling match.

Still laughing, Hermione responded, "Been there, done that dear. It's the times."

The young professor offered to go get them some refreshment while the Headmistress talked to various partygoers as they came over to congratulate her. Minerva nibbled some hors d'oeuvres and then wrapped Hermione's arm around hers as they went from table to table, group to group, welcoming and socializing with all in attendance. They were glad to see Poppy Pomfrey standing near a seated and recuperating Pyreen Fortune. There was more dancing, a few toasts, Durmstrang mixing with Hogwarts, Slytherin with Gryffindor, Malfoys with Weasleys, no separations, no lines, nothing but the wizarding world united.

The evening was drawing to a close. The band packed up to the sound of appreciative clapping. The monitors began to shoo everyone out. Headmaster Tchekov bowed courteously to the Headmistress before escorting his wife out of the hall. House elves were scurrying around cleaning up as Minerva pulled a confused Hermione back out to the empty dance floor.

The elegant form in green wrapped her arms around the Potions Professor and began to sway to her own nonexistent tune. She pulled them close together and pressed thin lips to a warm forehead.

"Minerva, what are you doing?"

"This is how the evening of our first dance should have ended," she leaned forward to bring their lips into contact and as only the Headmistress could do from within school walls, the two ladies disappeared from the dance floor.

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A large swirl of grey mist exploded into the Headmistress' moonlight lit bedchamber. Two bodies, still entwined in their passionate embrace solidified. Hermione was suddenly very lightheaded, the result of the unexpected side-along apparation. She broke the kiss and grabbed on to Minerva's waist, burying her head into a firm shoulder.

"Ugh. Sorry to break the mood but I need a moment. I really do hate apparating, especially when someone else is in charge."

Minerva clutched her paramour close, steadying her while her own body slowly calmed down, "I'm so sorry love. I wasn't thinking."

It only took a few deep breaths for the young Professor to recover during which Minerva had whipped out her wand to turn on wall sconces at a low level and set the fireplace ablaze casting warm red hues and heat around the room. She also warded the door from being opened unless in the most dire of emergencies before tossing the wand to a nearby cushioned chair. Feeling better, Hermione lifted her head and reconnected to soft lips she had sampled before. However this felt different. She could sense the change in Minerva. There was no more holding back. Their magic auras were intertwining as much as their physical bodies were. The kisses soon elevated to softly caressing tongues accompanied by moans and purrs. Arms wrapped around each other, grabbing onto anything touched.

Hermione took advantage of the rare treat of Minerva's hair not being in a tight bun or braid and flowed the fingers of one hand through the silken strands, tugging slightly at times. Her other hand ventured lower, finally doing something she had always imagined, rubbing a tight butt cheek still hidden beneath silken fabric. She pulled back to gulp in some air and smile before diving back onto swelling lips when she felt the Headmistress squirm some, as if her knees were getting weak. The young professor wanted to feel more skin. Reaching up beneath Minerva's delicate cape, the end of the zipper was quickly located and pulled down. However the dress did not fall as the high neck had several clasps.

"Mmmmm, want you naked," Hermione whispered in between kisses.

Her heart was pounding hard causing an echoing in her ears but she still heard the young professor's request. A simple silent wandless charm and every stitch of clothes on both ladies was banished.

Pulling her head back, Hermione lamented breathlessly, "Awwwww Minerva, I had special underwear on to tantalize you with."

Reveling in the further overload of sensation of heated skin on skin, Minerva said with a gruff voice, "Well, it was your request dear and Hermione, if I was any more tantalized right now I'd pass out."

With a wicked grin, Hermione replied, "That's the plan dear," and with no warning whatsoever she nuzzled down and suckled a pert dusty-rose colored nipple.

An electric bolt shot straight from her occupied nipple to her groin and for a moment Minerva did have to concentrate just to keep standing. Both hands slammed a little roughly to both hold the head and hold onto the head pressed to her breast.

"Ahhhhhh, Merlin…mmmm."

The great orator of Hogwarts was practically speechless. Hermione grinned, never unlatching from her prey. However she did feel Minerva's body starting to shake so she slowly moved them towards the bed before they landed up on the floor.

The back of her shaking knees felt the comfort of the bed and Minerva was in the mood to return some favors. She wrapped some auburn ringlets of hair up in her hand and carefully pulled while turning her body such that Hermione released her breast with a pop and tumbled over onto the bed. The feline in her was on display as the Headmistress gracefully rubbed her body against Hermione's as she also pulled both of them into the center of the large bed before slamming down full on top of her prey and diving into a pounding open-mouthed kiss. Sweaty heated skin and protruding nipples rubbed against each other while Minerva's slightly bony hips were cushioned by Hermione's more full ones. It was a volcano of bliss complete with an undercurrent of staccato clicks from Minerva's purring chest.

The witch on the bottom of the passion sandwich was struggling to breath beneath a curtain of silky peppered hair, a full body press, and finally a tongue onslaught like she had never experienced. She was so turned on by the uninhibited strength and frenzy of her lover that she felt the first compressions of a building orgasm and Minerva had not even touched her yet. Hermione bit down not-too-gently on a swollen lower lip while pushing up hard against Minerva's shoulder with her left hand. She rolled their tangled bodies in a flash, leaning up to press her hands against white shoulders and straddle the Headmistress taking care to not press down on her clit for fear of coming on the spot.

Both lovers sucked in deep breaths, glaring in a carnal form into each other's dilated eyes. Their initial lovemaking was most surely intense. Minerva brought her hands up and caressed ample breasts, rubbing her thumbs over upright nipples before pinching and tugging on them. Once again, Hermione's clit instantly pulsed.

"Ahhh, Minerva, I'm so turned on nothing is going to last," the younger witch growled out while writhing her hips in mid-air.

"As am I my love. Together then," and she quickly moved one of her legs around the outside of Hermione's, pulling her partner's leg under and putting them into a scissor position down below.

As natural as time itself, Hermione leaned up and dug her hips down finally putting pressure on her aching clit. It sunk into the warm wetness of Minerva's groin finding a similar welcoming protrusion. Minerva grabbed onto an undulating hip for leverage and moved her own hips in time to the wonderful music of their passion. Hermione sped up, then slowed down, taking a quick moment to relish the sight of the flushed body of the Headmistress with her mouth wide open taking in gasping breaths, her eyes closed in anticipation.

Every new stroke was sending an electrical jolt throughout Minerva's abdomen. Although it had been quite some time since Minerva had experienced an orgasm, even by her own hand, she was gratified to note there seemed to be no problem with her young lover. The tell-tale sign of muscles starting to compress inside her pelvis informed her she was very close.

Forcing her eyes open to take in the most erotic site she had ever seen, the Headmistress cried out, "Close love… come with me.. please…"

Hermione looked into those dark eyes, her own soul on display, and with only two more undulations, she felt her own tsunami start from deep inside.

With a hissing voice, Hermione thrust again, doing her best to keep her eyes locked on her partner's, "Yesssss, there. I'm yours Minerva."

Minerva could feel the release of warm fluid coming from her partner and slowly grinding into it, she arched into her own completion unable to keep her head from snapping back and eyes closing.

"Ah, Ah, Hermione…"

The next few moments were suspended in time for both lovers, the air thick and hot, the bodies doing deep undulations and then jerking through aftershocks and tension.

Minerva finally slumped back boneless onto the bed, Hermione soon followed, hovering over her partner supported by her arms. Untangling legs, Minerva pulled Hermione against her, tucking a head against her shoulder. She placed a kiss to the top of her lover's head. Hearts slowed, breathing evened out, no words were needed. Hands slowly caressed for awhile until energy rebuilt and passion began to flare again.

The scent of arousal was too much for Minerva to not have. She rolled once again to be on top of Hermione and kissed her hard. She felt the younger lady's nails make trails down her back making her feel alive and renewed and oh so sexy and possessive. Using her knees, the animagus pressed in between Hermione's legs and thrust them wide open. Hermione broke the kiss and gasped as cool air hit her hot nether region.

Pulling her hair off to one side and rubbing her face against the young witch's flush, sweaty face, Minerva growled, "Now I shall taste you and no other will every sample your nectar again."

Hermione looked up into the predator-like eyes in open-mouthed anticipation and nodded, "Forever."

The agile Headmistress slithered down, stopping to quickly tweak pink nipples with her teeth before continuing on. Wrapping her arms under two firm thighs she finally looked at the open flower that was Hermione's pussy. A trim wide triangle of curly brown hair, already wet with their previous activity, accented swollen, darkened lips and an obvious pearl peaking out at the top.. There was already a milky coating, probably from both of them, lingering around the edges. Taking a deep breath in, she could almost taste Hermione with just the smell. It was wonderfully earthy, like white wine with a slight sexy sweat. Scooting forward, she gently ran the flat of her tongue along the length of open flesh. Indeed, it tasted just like it smelled.

"OOooohhhhh, Minerva," prayed a voice from above, hips slowly moving to encourage the tongue in deeper.

Poking her tongue in further, she tickled Hermione's entrance tasting a more raw flavor. She scooped the thick fluid towards the bundle of nerves at the top several times slowly. Now the moving hips and gasps from her young lover were starting to build. Masterful hands clamped down trying to hold Hermione's pelvis in place while Minerva's tongue started running the length of her slit, sucking on her clit every couple of swipes.

"Gahhhh, noooooo control baby, I'm going to come in your mouth," the young Professor professed while one hand flew down to grab a handful of hair.

Minerva smirked inwardly for just a second at the sound of someone this young calling her "baby" but the sentiment was appreciated. She plunged forward, taking the clit into her mouth and flicking her tongue back and forth under it quickly.

A loud squeal rang through the room as she pushed Hermione over the edge again. The older witch hung on like a rodeo rider on a bucking bronco as those shapely hips bucked. There was a healthy tug (or three) on her hair that would no doubt be sore tomorrow as she felt Hermione'a anatomy pulse against her chin and some surprisingly strong thighs squeeze in against her head. Getting away from the sensitive clit, Minerva placed some gentle kisses to puffy outer lips as Hermione slowly relaxed, released her hair, and went limp.

Unwrapping herself from a now very floppy body, Minerva chuckled as she crawled around and pulled and rolled Hermione's legs so they were comfortably straight without any aid from her panting partner. She licked her own lips, wiping her chin a bit and laid back down on her side alongside her young lover, her head held up by one arm. Hermione had one arm over he eyes, still breathing hard.

Reaching over to caress down the prone body Minerva asked quietly, "You alright my love."

Hermione smiled and finally uncovered her eyes to looks over at the love of her life, "I'm bloody fantastic."

Minerva smiled back, "I love you Hermione."

"I love you too Minerva."

Body sweat was quickly cooling them and Minerva wandlessly brought the comforter over. Snuggled together, sleep overtook the Headmistress and her Professor.

It had been perfect indeed.

The End

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