AN: Hey Y'all, I'm back. (Evil Grin). I've received a number of personal messages asking for a sequel to "The Boat House". Soooo, By popular demand, I now continue the saga with...

THE TIES THAT BIND

Chapter One

The fire crackled and snapped casting the darkened room with a cozy light. Casting everything the light touched with flickers in varying shades of gold.

Two women sat close together on a comfortable plush sofa facing the fire. Neither spoke. Each content to enjoy the company of the other.

The women appeared to be middle aged, which was partially true. The tallish, sandy brown haired Jean Granger was in her late forties. Her companion however, was older, much older. By all appearances Rolanda Hooch appeared to be also in her forties. Her yellow, hawk-like eyes however, lent a clue to her other-worldly background.

Her wizarding background.

Of course, her spikey silver hair made her look as if she hung out in the muggle clubs of London. She was the same age as her closest friend, Minerva McGonagall. They had gone to Hogwarts together. The witch seemed content to gaze into the fire and enjoy the company of the lovely woman seated beside her. A beautiful woman she had spent a good deal of time getting to know better over the past year. A woman she would like to know even better.

"How is Minerva doing?"

Hooch was startled out of her musings by the soft question spoken by her companion. She turned to gaze at Jean and snorted with a rueful smile, "Missing the bloody hell out of Hermione!" She ran an agitated hand through her silver spikes and added, "The woman is driving me crazy with wanting to know this and wanting to know that!"

Jean tried to control the fit of laughter bubbling up from her belly but failed. Deep, hearty chuckles and snorts resounded throughout the living room of the London flat. She noticed Rolanda's eyes glaze over. "What's wrong?" She managed between chortles, wiping the laughter induced tears from her lovely face.

Enchanted by the music in her companion's laughter, Rolanda shook herself and replied, "I like the way you laugh."

Jean Granger felt a deep blush travel across her cheeks. She and Rolanda were still muddling their way though the budding romance that simmered between them. Thus far, they'd exchanged a few kisses. Nothing too extreme. Jean was still getting through the final stages of her divorce from her soon to be ex-husband, John. The last thing she wanted to do was jump into another relationship. Although if she were truly being honest with herself, she'd realize that she and Ro had been in a relationship for over a year.

Since the first day they'd met.

Of course there was the annoying little fact that she'd never even considered a relationship with a woman before now. Pity as that was. Her dark eyes sparkled as she said, "Since her promotion, Minerva can't get away as easily as you."

Hooch huffed saying, "She is relentless. Wants to know every little detail. How does Hermione look? Is she eating properly? Is she getting enough rest?" She snorted, "You'd think she was Hermione's mother the way she fusses!"

Jean snickered, "No, that would be me. Minerva loves Hermione, it's only natural that she inquire...." She paused and added with a sweet grin, "After all, you're here alot."

Hooch blushed, then said, "The sooner those two get married the sooner the rest of us will have some peace!"

Jean chuckled merrily saying, "She just wants to know that her "kitten" is doing well."

"Of course I'm doing well."

Both women looked up as the object of their discussion entered the flat looking a bit run down. There were dark patches beneath the warm, chocolate eyes and the hair on the young witch's head looked more wild and unruly than normal.

Hooch frowned at Hermione's appearance and asked, "What happened to you?"

Hermione looked down at herself, seeing wrinkles and suspicious stains on her robes. Glancing back at the two women on the sofa, she grinned, "I had clinical study in the psyche ward today." She scratched her nose and added with a snicker, "Gilderoy Lockhart escaped from his room again and led us on quite the merry chase." She noticed the smirk on Rolanda's face and added, "He was naked at the time."

Laughter echoed throughout the flat abruptly ending when a school book came flying out of the office followed by a loud, "BUGGER MATH!!"

Hermione's weary chocolate brown eyes widened as she leaned over and picked up the book. Reading the cover, she smiled and said, "I never much liked math either."

Jean, however, was not amused. She stood and walked over to her daughter with her hand out.

Wordlessly, Hermione handed her the textbook and watched as her mother marched into the office where her younger daughter, Dawn, was supposed to be doing her homework.

Hermione shook her head and walked over to the sofa. She sat herself in her mother's spot and addressed Hooch, "How's things going?"

The older woman sighed, "School. Exams. Quiddich and such. You remember?" She noticed Hermione had her mother's eyes as the younger woman grinned.

"I was meaning how are things between you and mum?"

Rolanda blushed, causing a chuckle to escape Hermione's plump lips. "That bad eh?" The young woman asked.

Shaking her head, Hooch replied, "Slow. Extremely slow. Your mother is being careful."

Hermione frowned, "Have you at least gotten to the hoops yet?" She was using a reference to quiddich which she knew Hooch would understand.

The older woman sighed and replied, "As I said... Slow."

Hermione decided to change the subject. She ran a tired hand through her unruly chestnut mane and asked, "How's Minerva handling the new job?"

She was referring to Minerva McGonagall's recent promotion to Headmistress of Hogwarts. Albus Dumbledore having decided to semi-retire. He would still help run the school, but Minerva would be the ultimate authority. Not that she hadn't been already. Dumbledore would teach Transfiguration to first thru fifth years, leaving advanced teaching to Minerva. He would also be pursuing his own personal research projects. Things he'd had to put aside over the years for the sake of the school and protecting against Voldemort's evil. He would also be spending a bit more time attending to Wizengamot affairs as he was still the head of that organization.

Rolanda grinned and replied, "I must say, she's a hell of a lot more organized than Dumbledore ever was. I think she's doing just fine." She leaned in and winked saying, "Missing the devil out of you though. You need to get up there and give the poor woman some lovin'!"

Both witches snickered wickedly. Hermione had a plotting gleam in her dark eyes though. With a smile, she said, "You know I could probably trade shifts this weekend. Sneak up to Scotland and give Minerva that lovin' she seems to need so badly."

Rolanda nodded grinning mischieviously, "Looks to me like you could use some lovin' yourself."

Both witches chuckled ruefully. Hermione sat back against the sofa and after taking a deep breath, whispered, "I miss feeling her snuggle up behind me. I miss feeling those wonderful arms around me." The young witch wiped away a tear that was threatening to slide down her soft cheek.

Hooch reached out and patted her hand and said quietly, "Soon you two will be together. For always."

Unseen by the two, Jean was standing just outside the living room and heard every word. She realized that perhaps it might be time to talk with Hermione and Minerva about their wedding plans. She also figured that things needed to progress a wee bit faster with Ro. Otherwise, she worried the woman might find an interest elsewhere. She didn't want that to happen.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

There was a soft hooting coming from the balcony. Hermione and Rolanda looked over to see Hedwig sitting on her perch with a parchment tied to her leg. Hermione grinned brightly and bounced to the balcony door.

In the meantime. Jean returned to the living room and reclaimed her spot next to her paramour. She reached out and took Rolanda's strong hand in her's and squeezed gently. "You've been very patient with me. I appreciate that." She frowned slightly and added, "I know you could probably be with any witch you want."

Rolanda's silver brows climbed up her forehead in surprise, "Where's this coming from?" She reached out and gently caressed Jean's lovely face. "I'm with the witch I want." She whispered, her yellow eyes twinkling.

The elder Granger shook her head, "I'm not a witch."

Grinning Hooch replied, a wicked gleam in her eyes, "Oh yes you are. You have your own kind of magic." With that, she leaned in and gently brushed her lips against the lush, kissable lips of the woman she was head over heels for. Lips that her eldest daughter seemed to have inherited, if Hooch was inclined to believe Minerva. With that thought in her head, she smiled at Jean. Hearing the door open from the balcony, both women gazed at Hermione as the younger witch came back in from outside.

The younger witch was opening the parchment with a huge grin that split her lovely face. Hooch nudged Jean and inclined her head towards Hermione. Smiling, Jean understood immediately.

A letter from Minerva.

"Who's the letter from dear?" Jean asked with a knowing smile. She snickered as she leaned back on the sofa, pulling Hooch with her. Stretching out her legs on the small foot stool resting in front of her, she snuggled herself into the warm robes of her companion. She lay her head on Rolanda's shoulder as she felt the older witch wrap an arm around her.

Hermione, completely oblivious to the escalating action taking place on her sofa, mumbled, "It's from Minerva." She focused her full attention on the parchment from her fiance and completely ignored the two women on the sofa.

That was fine with Rolanda as she leaned over and placed a kiss on Jean's temple.

"Get a room you two!" Came the unmistakable screech from Jean's younger daughter, Dawn. She was standing in the doorway of the living room with her math book. Her short cropped, wavy chestnut hair was standing on end. As if frustrated hands had continuously raked through it.

Glancing from her mother to Hermione and back to her mother, she grumbled, "I need help again." Annoyance liberally lacing her usually pleasant voice. She was angry that she just couldn't figure her homework out. Hermione always seemed to breeze through her sums, but Dawn just couldn't.

Bugger!

Rolanda grinned, her yellow eyes twinkled. Untangling herself from Jean, she stood saying, "I believe it's my turn." She smiled at Jean and turned to Dawn, "Come on Butterfly. Let's go figure this junk out!" The younger Granger grinned brightly and flounced back to her room, Rolanda flouncing right behind her; causing mother and older daughter to snicker.

Jean chuckled at their antics. Turning her head, she spied her older daughter. Hermione had the goofiest grin on her face. Raising an eyebrow, Jean queried, "So what does everyone's favorite tabby cat have to say?"

Hermione looked up from the letter and smiled softly, "Oh, this and that..." She looked back at the letter...

My Darling,

I am eagerly counting the days until we can be together again.

In spite of all the additional duties I have acquired, I find myself thinking of you. Missing you so terribly. You know I cannot sleep properly unless you are at my side. I never thought I would admit that to anyone, yet here I am telling you my secrets. Fitting, is it not? You, who are to be my wife.

My new position is very challenging and I enjoy a challenge... as you well know. In addition to continuing to teach advanced Transfiguration to the older students, I do the lion's share of the administrative tasks associated with running the school. Not that I haven't already been doing this mind you. Now, I am being paid to do it.

Albus has taken up teaching Tranfiguration to the younger students and I daresay having the time of his life! He should never have given it up. It has put him in a perfect position to sort out those students with the potential to enter my advanced class as they progress.

But enough of that, how are you? Graduation is right around the corner for you. I know you must truly be excited to, now, be able to start your career as a healer in the magical world and a doctor in the muggle one. Imagine! Practicing both types of medicine in the same clinic! Astounding, I must say. Speaking of clinics, any thoughts on where you would like your's to be? Where ever you decide, just let me know. Money is no object. You will have the best clinic in the world if I have anything to say about it.

I spoke with Mr. Potter several days ago. It seems Ginny Weasley has been on him to find a position a little less reckless than being an Auror. I offered him the Defense Against The Dark Arts position for the upcoming term. Our teacher, Hermes Jefferson, has decided to go back to the states. It seems he has been corresponding with a young witch in Louisiana. You understand, I'm sure.

Anyway, Mr. Potter asked if I would give him time to think it over and I agreed of course. A little politicking from you would not hurt either, my love. I really cannot think of anyone more qualified for this position than Harry Potter.

Is there a chance you and I might have a weekend together? I miss you My Darling. I miss holding you at night. I miss waking with you in my arms. I miss your sweet, toe-curling kisses. I miss those gorgeous bedroom eyes which have bewitched me so completely. I miss your heavenly white chocolate curves. Lovely curves which have ignited a fire in my ....ahem.

Oh my dear, how I miss you! Please say we can be together soon?

Listen to me begging. Merlin woman, look what you have done to me! You have my tail wrapped right around your little finger I must say.

I love you sweet Kitten, with all of my heart. Let me hear from you soon?

Your Tabby

Hermione looked up at her mother with her eyes welling with great lonely tears. "I love her so much." The young witch whispered looking down at the parchment once again.

Jean reached over and patted her daughter's hand, "Go see her."

-to be continued