AN: This story is based on the "Cat & Kitten" series by Butterfly Rainbow. It has been written with the permission of that dear, sweet, brilliant writer who I wish would hurry up and start the next sequel!! ;D

Also, I'm going in a different direction this time. AU. MM/HG. Femslash. Don't like, don't read. Remember y'all, be nice to this old tiger.

THE NEXT STEP

The great battle of Hogwarts happened a little over a year ago. Since then the golden trio had graduated from said school and begun the next phase of their lives. Harry Potter had immediately gone into Auror training, where as Ron Weasley was currently working with his father in the Department of Muggle Affairs. Hermione Granger had been selected for healer training based on the urging of Poppy Pomphrey. The older mediwitch had been impressed with Hermione's actions after the great battle. The young witch had gone from casualty to casualty with the efficiency of an experienced healer, healing those she could and comforting those she could not. Madame Pomphrey had pulled Minerva McGonagall aside and whispered her suggestion that Hermione enter healer training. Minerva had smiled mysteriously and agreed to talk to Hermione.

Of course only a few people knew what that mysterious smile on McGonagall's face was all about. After all, she and Hermione had been secret lovers since Hermione's fifth year.

When Minerva had a moment, she'd asked Hermione to go for a walk down to the lake. It was two days after the battle and everyone was exhausted. Hermione could barely keep her eyes open as she leaned against her lover. "I'm wiped out." She mumbled. Minerva pulled Hermione down to sit beside her on a bench at the edge of the lake. The moonlight cast silver flecks upon the darkened water and an occasional hoot could be heard echoing down from the owlery.

Minerva stretched her arm around the smaller woman's shoulders. "Hmmmm." Hermione responded laying her head on her lover's shoulder. "I love you," she whispered. Minerva smiled softly and leaned down to place a gentle kiss on the enticing lips of her young love. "Love you too." Came the quite reply. Minerva began to stroke the soft, bushy curls on Hermione's head. The young witch closed her eyes, "We haven't had any alone time lately." There was a wistful tone in her soft voice. Minerva shook her head sadly, "We probably won't have ANY alone time for the next little while. I have a castle to rebuild." She took a deep determined breath. Hermione raised her head and peered into the older witch's emerald green eyes. "WE have a castle to rebuild... this is not only your responsibility."

Minerva smiled at her lover's enthusisam. "No. You are going to college. Albus and I can get the school up and running again." Hermione was about to protest, so Minerva leaned in and kissed her again. Moments later, Hermione pulled back and mock glared at her lover. "I hate it when you do that... it always makes me forget what I was going to say!" Minerva grinned cheekily, "Why do you think I do it?" Hermione laughed, leaning over for another kiss, and another and another...

Minerva was breathless. "Merlin! You can kiss." She mused aloud. Chuckling, Hermione stroked the older witch's cheek. "I want to help." Minerva nodded, "I know, but I have something I'd like to discuss with you." Hermione gazed at her curiously, "What?" Minerva proceeded to tell Hermione about what Poppy had said. Hermione's dark brows rose, "I really hadn't considered the healing profession... although I wasn't grossed out or anything when I was helping the wounded" Minerva grinned at Hermione's use of the muggle phrase, "Think about it. I think you would do well." The younger witch gazed at the stars thoughtfully. Truthfully, she didn't want to be seperated from Minerva. Not now that she was about to graduate. However, she knew she had to do something. She would go mad with nothing to do.

It hadn't really taken much cajoling. Hermione had the brilliance to get into any college in the world. She could do whatever she put her mind to doing. Her parents were on an extended stay in Australia, so she discussed her thoughts with those closest to her; Harry, Ron, Ginny, Arthur, Molly and Minerva. The result of those conversations were all the same "GO FOR IT!" So she did.

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There was a knock on the door to Hermione's flat. Harry's eyebrows raised as he glanced across the chess board at Ron. "'Mione someone's at the door." A muffled voice shouted from behind the closed bedroom door, "Well answer it already" Ron grinned at his friend, stood and shuffled over to the foyer and opened the door.

Ronald Weasley opening Hermione's door was NOT what Minerva McGonagall was expecting. Emerald eyes narrowed briefly as a pang of jealous rage washed over her.

"Hello Professor, Hermione's in the bedroom getting dressed."

"SHE IS WHAT??" Minerva blustered, her mind going in a direction it really, really should not have.

Harry, sensing his friend's impending doom, jumped to his feet. "Hello Professor. Ron & I just popped by for a visit" Minerva quickly calmed after hearing this. She had never truely forgiven Ronald for his crush on HER woman.

"Oh"

Harry grinned, causing the professor to scowl. She really needed to work on her jealous streak. Ron winked at Minerva, then turned on his heel and moved to the closed bedroom door. Tapping lightly, he announced, "Hermione, you have a visitor."

The bedroom door opened and Hermione Granger, 1st year med student, stepped out. "Who?" She inquired quizically. Ron gestured to the foyer. Seeing Minerva standing there, Hermione squealed loudly, "Oh my!!... Merlin! You're here!!" She ran across the flat and into her lover's arms.

Completely forgetting her two guests, Hermione pulled Minerva into a searing kiss.

Harry and Ron stood together with their jaws hanging open. They'd never seen the couple touch, let alone snog each other senseless like they seemed to be doing now. Both men blushed. Remembering she had company, Hermione pulled her hands from Minerva's now unbound ebony hair. She turned to the two men, "Sorry."

Minerva's face was beet red.

Harry chuckled at his former professor. "You're not our teacher anymore. If you want to kiss her, then kiss her" Ron was speechless. His ears turning bright pink as the blush continued to manifest itself across his face.

Hermione smirked at the situation. She turned back to face her lover finally noticing Minerva's attire. She wasn't wearing her traditional robes. She was clad in snug fitting muggle jeans, a powder blue turtleneck and a black leather jacket. White tennis shoes covered her feet. "Don't you just look so muggle." Hermione laughed.

Minerva looked down at herself. "Did I Get it right?" Albus made these suggestions.

"You look grand."

"Yes??"

"Absolutely."

Sensing they were intruding, Harry and Ron quickly excused themselves telling Hermione they'd catch up with her another time.

As the door closed after the men exited. The lovers, once again, found themselves in each other's arms. "I missed you." Hermione mumbled beneath her lover's lips.

"Me too." Came from Minerva.

"I love you."

"Love you too."

KISS, mouths opening.

KISS, tongues entering.

KISS, passion rising.

"How long has it been?" Hermione whispered, pulling Minerva's jacket off.

"3 months, 1 week, 4 days, 6 hours and 13 minutes." Came the growled response as Hermione felt her jumper slide off her shoulders.

"No seconds?" She questioned cheekily, cheshire cat grin in full bloom.

"46 seconds." Came the rumbled reply as she felt herself lifted off the floor and into the powerful arms of her lover.

Minerva carried her woman into the bedroom where the two women quickly finished undressing each other. Minerva finally pulling Hermione's knickers slowly down her silky thighs. Kneeling in front of her naked lover, Minerva leaned forward kissing Hermione's neatly trimmed patch of curls. Her tongue gently worked it's way between the younger woman's folds.

"I need to sit." Hermione whispered, her knees going weak. Minerva brought her hands up to Hermione's waist, and maneuvered her backwards onto the bed. The younger woman scooted back as Minerva started her ascent; kissing every delicious inch of Hermione's gorgeous long legs. When she reached her lover's thighs, Minerva's enhanced sense of smell picked up Hermione's rising scent of arousal. Minerva felt her desire heighten.

Kisses and kissing, nibbling until she reached Hermione's plump lips. She sucked on the younger woman's bottom lip, then covered Hermione's mouth with her own. Minerva kissed her slowly... slower... deeper. Parting the lips beneath her's with the gentleness of her tongue. Feeling Hermione respond.

Hands tangled in Minerva's silky, ebony tresses. Stroking slowly, then caressing her cheeks. Lips engaged, tongues dueling one another.

Minerva kissed Hermione's chin, her jaw, down her neck pausing to suckle briefly on the sweet skin. Then kissing over her breastbone. Kisses and kissing, once again nibbling until she came to her lover's breast. Taking the rose-colored bud in her mouth. Feeling the nipple grow and harden. Letting it go, moving on to the other. Gasps of delight echoed in Minerva's ears. This was so right. This was where she belonged.

Running her elegant hands over Hermione's curvacious body. Feeling the heat that gorgeous body was giving off, stroking her once again. Hands sliding over her breasts, down across her belly, then down the outside of her thigh. Hermione shuddered under her touch. She reached Hermione's inner thighs which parted under the damp heat of her readiness. Minerva's nimble fingers penetrating into the wetness she found there. Pulling gently out to stroke the throbbing pearl so sensative to her touch. Hermione cried out in delight as her lover fondled her. Stroking... slowly swirling her fingers gently around the little bundle of nerves in a motion that had Hermione arching, pushing against the woman who was passionately taking her.

Hermione's legs fell open to Minerva, allowing a more intimate contact. Gently kissing Hermione's pearl, then slowly sucking on it. She listened to Hermione's moans of pleasure, then slowly entered her with two fingers. Gently, caringly; knowing no one else would ever been granted this joy. Minerva felt the sudden embrace of her fingers, resisting briefly. Whispering she asked, "Do you want me to stop?" "No!... oh no, please..." Hermione begged breathlessly. Minerva flexed her fingers gently, feeling for what would give Hermione the ultimate ecstacy. Finding it with sensative fingers that circled and caressed, creating a rhythmn that sent waves of desire through her younger lover. She felt Hermione writhing passionately beneath her as she touched and stroked until Hermione tensed with every muscle in her body. A cry of passion ripped from her very soul to possess Minerva's heart even more completely.

When the ripples subsided, Minerva gently removed her fingers, kissing Hermione's mound, nuzzling lovingly, She moved up her lover's body to gaze into chocolate eyes filled with love. At last, Minerva whispered tenderly. "You are my home."

Later, Minerva lay on her back panting with exhaustion but great sexual satisfaction. She was glowing. Hermione snuggled in at her side. Her head resting on the older witch's chest. Unruly curls splayed over Minerva's breasts, tickling. Warm brown eyes peered into emerald green. "I've missed you." She whispered, her fingers tracing the faint scars on Minerva's chest. Hermione's eyes clouded briefly as she remembered the night those scars were created. Seeing this, Minerva knew what her lover was thinking. "That was then, this is now." She tenderly tangled her long elegant fingers in Hermione's unruly mane.

"I Love You" They said at the same time. Arms tightened around each other, bringing a sensation of protection, security and deep abiding love. Minerva leaned her head down slightly and kissed Hermione's forehead. "Go to sleep my love, I'll be here in the morning." A tiny tear trickled from Hermione's chocolate eyes, "At last." Minerva, gently wiped away the wetness making it's way down Hermione's downy cheek. "Soon we will be together my love, soon" With that, the lovers closed their eyes and drifted off to blissful slumbers filled with dreams of what was to come.

The End... for now ; )