Epilogue (because I couldn't resist!)

Christmas Day, 1999

Hermione had been awake for hours; she had noted the pile of presents on the chaise longue on her side of the bed, and at first had been itching to open at least one. She'd forced herself to make some tea, and was now contentedly snuggled back in bed, watching Minerva sleep. She was absurdly happy, she realised, but she could not bring herself to care. It was the first Christmas that she had truly felt relaxed; it really was an indescribable feeling, she thought, to be able to just relish the simple act of being without anyone expecting anything from you.

She sighed happily as she thought about the woman that lay next to her, in their bed in Minerva's bedroom, where Hermione spent almost every weekend. It was their first Christmas waking up together, and Hermione was determined to make the most of it.

"You think too much." Minerva mumbled as she stirred.

Hermione smiled.

"You were sleeping."

"It was noisy." Minerva retorted, turning slightly so that she could curl into Hermione's side. Hermione had been delighted to discover Minerva was a cuddler. She loved waking before Minerva in the mornings just so that the disturbance would cause Minerva to snuggle further into her.

Hermione put her arm around Minerva and stroked her hair down her back.

"It was happy. Merry Christmas."

Minerva smiled, and planted a soft kiss on Hermione's side.

"Merry Christmas."

"You know, just because you've said it, it doesn't mean that you get to go back to sleep." Hermione nudged Minerva, who groaned.

She grudgingly sat up a little higher, but couldn't help a smile as she saw the twinkling in Hermione's eyes.

Wordlessly, she summoned a package from the chaise and handed it to Hermione.

"Open this one, impatience. I hope it'll keep you in bed for at least a few moments longer. Merry Christmas."

Hermione felt the thin, oblong package with glee, before starting to rip off the wrapping. As she pulled out the present, her jaw dropped.

"Oh. My. God! OhmyGOD! Minerva! AAAAHAHAHA!"

Hermione pulled Minerva close and squashed her tight. Just as abruptly, she let her go and opened up the calendar, flicking through it with something akin to maniacal affection.

"Minerva! How...when...oh you're soo unbelievably gorgeous!"

They embraced once more, their lips meeting over the calendar Minerva McGonagall had made especially and only for Hermione Granger:

The Twelve Beautiful Views of Minerva McGonagall (eleven artistically decorated and a little 'lift the flap' for December).

The End!

A huge thank you again to everyone who read, but mostly those who also reviewed...it means a lot x