Thanks to those of you that reviewed! In case you're wondering, this story follows the events of DH but ignores the Epilogue.

Miss Granger,

I am flattered, I assure you, by your declaration. However, you are a student under my care and I cannot allow there to be any relation other than that of teacher and student to pass between us. I will not venture into what if's.

-MM

Hermione sighed. She folded her reply from McGonagall into a small square and slipped it into her trunk. She couldn't help but be disappointed, despite that what she received was all she could have hoped to expect. Her mind and desires were at odds, for while she wanted almost desperately to kiss the woman senseless, she also did not want to risk the consequences of such an action, particularly without the full consent, and eagerness, of that woman.

Feeling better because she had at last told McGonagall how she felt, Hermione decided there was no use sulking on it. So she gathered the books she'd told her friends she needed to get and went back down to the common room, plastering her usual eager smile on her face.

After returning to Hogwarts to complete her schooling, Hermione had learned, or more came to grasp with, certain aspects of herself that she had before shoved to the back of her mind in favor of other, more important, things. Once the stress of following Harry to the end of the earth was removed, she finally had time to be a normal girl…or as close to normal as Hermione Granger ever got.

She and Ron had finally gotten together during their year away from the school, but once they got back…it seemed for her that things were different. She was no longer worried that she would lose her best friends or that she would never live long enough to find love. And it came to her while Ron was trying to insert his tongue into her mouth that she did not, in fact, feel very comfortable with him.

"Ronald," she had blurted, pushing him away. "I'm sorry, but I don't think…I don't think I like you like this."

A fight had, of course, ensued. Hermione spent some time by herself, occasionally thinking about any other boys she had gotten close to. Which is when she came to the conclusion that boys just weren't what she was looking for.

That conclusion was not the end of the world. While Ron had been rather upset about finding out that the girl he'd fancied for so long, and who he thought had fancied him, was batting for the other team, he eventually forgave her, and the two of them, as well as Harry, were soon thick as thieves once again.

"Hermione?"

Ginny's voice broke Hermione out of her thoughts.

"Sorry, Ginny, I drifted off there," the older girl said.

"I don't understand Lloyd's Law on expanding an object's size. Could you explain it to me?"

Hermione smiled and delved into all the particulars, glad to have a distraction and a semblance of normalcy.

In another part of the castle, Minerva McGonagall was having more trouble distracting herself. In her hand she held a piece of parchment - it was the original letter she had written to Miss Granger. And while she did not look at it, couldn't bring herself to even glance at the words, she knew exactly what was written there.

Miss Granger,

I am flattered, I assure you, by your declaration. I'm afraid I must admit that you have not been the only one entertaining thoughts you shouldn't. I have been quite disgusted with myself at the idea of a "crush" of sorts on a student. However, you are not a child. I haven't been able to think of you as one for quite some time. Though you are young and still in school, your actions have not been those of an adolescent. Rash and not always well thought out, yes, but the responsibilities you took upon yourself, as well as Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley, were such that everyone in the wizarding world is indebted to you. The three of you stood up in the face of something that many of us feared too much to even speak of.

But enough of your bravery. You certainly don't need to be told what you did.

You would be incorrect in thinking that I am married with children. I am, as you put it, "queer." I do not have a partner seeing as I'm rather limited - I spend nine months of the year at this school. I am, however, open to the idea of a relationship. If that means there is something wrong with me, then so be it.

However, I will not have a one night stand. I refuse to indulge in anyone's "professor fantasy." At my age, I don't need sex for the sake of sex. And if the fact that I am much, much older than you throws you off, that is probably a good thing. My feelings will not be hurt should you decide that your liking of me is not what you thought it was.

So despite that you left your heart in my hands, Miss Granger, I leave the next step up to you.

Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

The words were soon lost as Minerva crumbled the letter into a ball and tossed it into the fire.