Just something that popped into my head in between Fighting Fate and FSWWAT.

Enjoy.

The Truth Can Be Dangerous

Fred Weasley.

Dead.

Was that possible?

Could the irascible fact that had just stared them in the face be real?

Move on Hermione. People die in wars, what were you expecting?

That was what her brain screamed at her.

But it was not what she did.

She did not move on.

How can I move on? It's over. We're all going to die. I'm going to die.

"Oh God" she whispered to herself as her feet carried her wherever Harry led her.

I'm going to die and I'll never have told her! Her mind was screaming.

Then many things happened at the same time.

They rounded a corner under the invisibility cloak and found Malfoy shouting on a balcony right above them, Ron and Harry looked up but Hermione did not, she was looking at the person whom her thoughts concerned.

Minerva McGonagall sprinted around the corner followed by transfigured furniture that was throwing Death Eaters into walls.

Do it.

That was what her brain said and for some inexplicable reason she did. She walked out from underneath the invisibility cloak, right up to Minerva, who was watching the furniture's progress.

She lifted a shaking hand and grasped Minerva's upper arm. Still ready for battle Minerva swung around, wand raised, only to have her hand captured by Hermione who used all her might to push Minerva backwards into an alcove.

"Hermione?" Minerva questioned.

It's now or never.

"Now" Hermione whispered, and ignoring the confused look on Minerva's face she pressed her lips to her mentor's.

A moment passed before Minerva responded, her own lips moving against the soft, supple ones against hers.

It was slow, sensual, barely touching, but it was enough.

You're kissing her!

Hermione lifted her hand to Minerva's cheek as strong arms were wrapped around her waist.

Hermione brought them face to face.

"I'm sorry I left it so long." Hermione whispered.

"We both know that… now is the only time our feelings could have been revealed. War, seems to cause people to tell the truth."

Hermione smiled.

"Well, I won't be dying a liar."

Minerva smiled to and traced her fingers across Hermione's cheek.

"No" she said, smiling, "You won't dye".

They didn't see each other until after the battle then, until Voldemort approached the school with a seemingly dead Harry in his arms. They had thought it was over and two sets of tear-filled eyes had met, both under the illusion that they would die with their love untouched.

But then the battle had resumed because Harry was alive!

Hope was rekindled as Voldemort and Harry's spells collided, Minerva and Hermione's eyes met across the din and as Voldemort fell, they both smiled with the knowledge that they would have a chance.

"What are you doing love?" Asked Minerva as her wife rose from the pensieve.

"Just revisiting some memories" said Hermione with a smile.

The younger witch lifted a hand to Minerva's face.

"Thirty years" Hermione whispered, "You haven't aged a day."

Minerva laughed.

"You're not looking close enough my love."

Hermione's eyes gazed deeply into Minerva's.

"There is not a corner of your face that I don't know" she whispered.

Just a little something that wanted to be written!