A/N: My first HG/MM story! I do not own any characters from Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling has the rights to those.

The Great Hall was unusually quiet for a Friday night, particularly at Gryffindor table. The semester was winding down, and tomorrow students would be leaving for the winter holiday. However, many at Gryffindor were staying over the vacation, though their anxious faces seemed a far cry from the other students. The trio of friends, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were sitting together near the front of the table, glancing up to the professor's table nearby.

The potions instructor, Severus Snape sat glumly, listening to Binns drone on about something he could not care less about. Yellow eyes peered over a goblet at a small charms professor, as Rolanda Hooch and Filius Flitwick, respectively, discussed an apparently tense topic, if their body language was at all accurate. In the center of the dais, Headmaster Albus Dumbledore ate a bowl of ice cream with chocolate sauce, his sweet tooth apparent. Though his lips smiled slightly as he gazed out over his students, his eyes stormed in a worrisome manner. A quick glance to his right indicated why.

The seat was normally occupied by Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress, transfiguration professor, and the head of Gryffindor, who was gone. There were no explanations, apart from Dumbledore telling Gryffindor students she was called away on urgent business, and would return in the near future. He had stepped into the role of transfiguration professor until McGonagall returned, but much to the worry of her students (particularly a certain brown-eyed witch), she had been gone (or at this point, could it be called "missing?") for nearly three weeks.

"Where do ya reckon she is?" Ron asked Hermione and Harry around a mouthful of potatoes and carrots. The past week especially talk at the Gryffindor table had revolved around their missing professor. Hermione shrugged, worry in her eyes, while Harry took a sip of his pumpkin juice.

"There was that news a few weeks ago about Bellatrix LeStrange leading a group of Death Eaters and murdering a bunch of people in Japan; wonder if McGonagall went to help stop it," Harry said quietly. Ginny came and sat down next to him, his arm automatically going around her shoulders. They had been dating for almost a year now, and much to Ginny's happiness the three of them had chosen to come back to Hogwarts in an effort to maintain a united front there.

Ginny noticed Hermione's quietness, and immediately reached over to place a soft hand on her best friend's shoulder. Hermione looked up, unshed tears filling her vision. Ginny was one of a handful to know about her and McGonagall's true dynamic, which went much further than teacher and student, mentor and protegee.

"How are you doing, Hermione?" Ginny asked her best friend in a low voice. Hermione's eyes met hers, and the fear was palpable.

"I haven't heard from her in weeks. Even when she's been gone on business in the past, she's always owled me to let me know how she was. This time, there was no communication, no...warning. I'm so worried." Hermione took a shuddering breath, feeling mildly better being able to share her feelings about things with Ginny. Of course she could talk to Harry, and had, but it was not nearly as comforting as discussing things with Ginny. And Ron...well, Ron was still in a state of moderate denial that not only did Hermione not return his affections, but she never would.

"What about asking Dumbledore, in private? He knows about you and McGonagall after all, right?" Ginny asked. Dumbledore not only knew about the relationship between Hermione and his deputy headmistress, but had brought them together in his office to give his official approval of their love.

Three months ago...

"Come in, come in Ms. Granger. I trust the evening has found you well," Dumbledore said to Hermione as she walked cautiously into his office. She jumped when she noticed McGonagall, her clandestine lover of nearly three months sitting calmly, sipping from a tea cup. Their eyes met, and Hermione was reassured that nothing was amiss.

"Yes, Headmaster. I admit to being surprised you wanted to see me this time of night," Hermione responded politely, taking a seat across the desk from Dumbledore's chair. She reached out for a cup, stopping as McGonagall handed her one (light on the cream, two sugars, just how she liked it) without making eye contact. "Am I in any sort of trouble?"

Dumbledore smiled gently. "Not at all, my dear. I wanted to discuss something of the utmost joy with you and Minerva," he said. McGonagall's brow arched as he used her first name in front of Hermione. "It has come to my attention that you and Minerva have become much closer lately." He held up a hand to stop McGonagall from interrupting. "Of course, regardless of what type of intimacy that may be, it is generally somewhat frowned upon for a teacher and student to develop any sort of...relationship."

Hermione's heart skipped a beat. She looked to McGonagall, eyes wide open as her breathing immediately became erratic. McGonagall, for her part, showed no visible change, though her heart was pounding. However, when she noticed Hermione's reaction she carefully placed her cup down and took the younger witch's hand. Hermione braced herself to hear her lover deny everything, which was the logical move to make in order to avoid punishment.

"Albus," McGonagall said tightly. "Whatever the repercussions are, I shall face them alone. Hermione needs to finish her education, and though I regret any ill press that will befall Hogwarts, I do not regret my actions; this young woman has taught me more in a few short months than I have taught my entire career. I will not renounce her, nor my feelings." Hermione finally looked up from the ground, in awe of the words and emotions McGonagall had just spoken so eloquently.

"My dears, there is, perhaps, a small bit of confusion as to why we are here. Yes, this dynamic is frowned upon by the general population, as it implies poor choices at best, or manipulation and an abuse of power at worst," Dumbeldore began. His eyes sparkled. "But, as you are well aware, I am not part of the general population. I know both of you quite well, indeed Minerva you are like a daughter to me. While with any other duo, I would be inclined to separate them immediately, I can see the truth to your emotions, and as Ms. Granger is of age, and you, Minerva, would never jump foolishly into any situation, all I will ask is that you both maintain your appearances in public for the time being. Understood?" Hermione and McGonagall nodded, shocked into silence at being not only discovered, but...congratulated?

"Yes, sir. Of course," Hermione said quietly. "Thank you, sir." McGonagall merely nodded her head, a ghost of a smile on her lips.

"Excellent! Then, if I may, I would like to propose a toast." Dumbledore waved over a tray carrying a bottle and three glasses. He poured the liquid into each glass, and handed them around. "To Minerva McGonagall, and Hermione Granger: may your love stay as sweet as this wine." Hermione found herself floating in the surreality of the situation, as she raised her glass in a toast to herself and her lover with the headmaster of Hogwarts. They all drank, and Minerva nearly spit it out.

"Albus! For Merlin's sake, what is this drink?" Minerva coughed. Hermione managed to swallow hers, barely.

"It is a dessert wine, I purchased some time ago in a muggle shop. It is a bit sweet, I admit -"

"This tastes like an entire jar of sugar has been upended into it! I have had dessert wines before, this is no such thing," McGonagall interrupted. Dumbledore eagerly took her glass.

"I may have added some extra sugar myself. And a few lemon drops," he explained. Hermione hid a giggle behind her hand, as McGonagall rolled her eyes and stood up. She still held the younger witch's hand. Her glare softened.

"Thank you, Albus. For everything." He smiled and nodded. The pair headed towards the door, before Hermione stopped abruptly and gazed back at the Headmaster. She paused for a moment before running to him and throwing her arms around his neck.

"Headmaster, thank you for understanding," Hermione whispered. Dumbledore's smile grew, and he returned her hug.

"I suggest, Ms. Granger, that you and Minerva may prefer using my fireplace to floo to her rooms. After all, it is after hours." Hermione nodded, turned to McGonagall, and led her to the fireplace. She grabbed some powder, threw it into the flames, and soon they were gone, leaving the aged Headmaster to his own thoughts. He chuckled to himself as he moved to his desk to continue working. Who knew ordering frogs would be so complicated?

"You think Dumbledore would even tell me anything, if he did know?" Hermione asked her friend. Ginny shrugged her shoulders, glancing around the dais.

"I'd trust him more than Snape. He has been in and out for about as long as McGonagall has been missing. Maybe talking to him after dinner?" Ginny suggested, taking a bite of her dinner. Hermione looked back up to Dumbledore, before letting out a small sigh.

"Yeah, that's a better idea than any I've had lately. I'll go to his office tonight. Maybe Harry will come with me. You too, of course," she said quietly. Ginny gave her a small smile of encouragement. Ron looked up, eyes going between the two.

"Where're you going after hours, Hermione? Library?" he asked. He had caught the last few words of the conversation, and did not appreciate the prospect of not being included in whatever was going on.

"No, Ron. After dinner Hermione, maybe Harry, and I are going to go ask Dumbledore about where McGonagall is. You've been less than supportive and helpful to Hermione lately, so your name didn't seem to pop up," Ginny rolled her eyes at her brother. Harry's head popped up.

"I'm going?" He sensed an argument between his best friend and his girlfriend brewing, and was very interested in not getting involved. The Weasley family had a way with tempers. Harry had toyed with the idea of researching the link between red hair and temperament, but quickly thought he would be torn to shreds by the very subjects, should they find out. "Um, I guess I can go," he quickly said, noting Ginny's glare.

"Oy, I may have been a prat in the past, but I am still one of Hermione's best friends, Ginny! I want to support her, even if it's for something I don't really get. Can I come too, Hermione? Please?" He directed this last part to the brown-eyed witch. Hermione, wanting this conversation to stop (it was during dinner, after all), simply nodded her head.

"Gryffindor common room, ten minutes after hours. Harry, bring the cloak." With that, Hermione stood from the table and left. Her friends watched her walk briskly towards the entryway, each with their own thoughts on what has been going on. All, however, wanted Hermione to be happy.

Hermione had hurried away, eager to not get embroiled into another argument with Ron. They had been happening more frequently lately, all related to her relationship with Minerva McGonagall.

Five months ago...

Harry and Ron walked out to a field near the Burrow. Hermione had sent them an owl a few days prior asking to meet her under a tree out there, saying she had some important news to share with them. Harry wondered if it was about Voldemort, given their new plan to return to Hogwarts in September rather than journeying about the United Kingdom in search of Horcruxes. Dumbledore had nearly been killed by Draco Malfoy (who was operating under an imperious curse, or so he claims) when Snape had rushed into the tower, shielding Dumbledore at nearly the cost of his own life.

Ron, however, was of the opinion that Hermione was finally going to admit to harboring feelings for him, and wanted to tell him and Harry at the same time, given they were all best friends. It would be perfect - he and Hermione, Harry and Ginny, just as he had been day dreaming and secretly hoping for going on three years now. All that would be left after this is to destroy Voldemort and win the coming war. Honestly, Ron thought winning the war would be the easier part, as he had nearly given up on Hermione admitting to herself how she felt about him.

Finally they arrived at the tree, seeing Hermione sitting beneath its branches, reading a book. Harry had to laugh aloud at that: no matter what else was going on in the world, Hermione made sure to have a book with her. Her head shot up, and she saw her friends were near. She glanced down at her worn copy of Hogwarts: A History and started to chuckle as well. Ron looked at both and rolled his eyes. The boys (men?) sat down on either side of her. "Right bonkers, the both of you are," Ron told them. Hermione shoved him playfully, his heart sped up.

"Thanks for coming here, guys. There is no easy way for me to say this, and I thought about just...just not telling you. But you are both my best friends, and like family. So here goes," Hermione took a deep breath. Her eyes stared ahead, nervously avoiding both of them. "I'm seeing someone. I have been for about a month, and since my birthday we have made it official."

Ron and Harry's jaws dropped. Ron felt his cheeks grow warm with jealousy and confusion. Harry was the first to recover from the shock. "Er, that's great, Hermione. Who is it? Do we know him?" Ron kept his eyes facing down towards the grass.

"Yes, you do know...her," Hermione said softly, her own cheeks beginning to glow red from the confession.

"Wha?!" Ron's head snapped up. "You fancy girls? I thought- well, I mean, I thought you and I had feelings...for...each other, you know?" Hermione reached for his hand.

"Ron, I know this is not expected news for you or Harry, but it was important to me that you two, particularly you, find out as soon as I could tell you. It is true, back in third year I thought I had feelings for you, even into fourth year, but then I realized I was just trying to fool myself into being someone I can't be. I very much care for you, but it is not romantic. I hope you and I can still be friends, because while this may change how you think of me, I still love and care for you all the same as before," Hermione's eyes met Ron's, and she tried to gauge his thoughts.

"Um, you're my friend, 'Mione, and - yeah. I never knew you liked girls, and I am gonna try to support you as a, as a friend, I s'ppose," Ron muttered. Hermione smiled. Ron tried to return it, but just shrugged his shoulders and tore a blade of grass from the ground. Harry looked at his friends, conflicting feelings tearing through. "So, who is the lucky witch?"

Hermione took a deep breath. "...Minerva McGonagall." If Harry and Ron's jaws had dropped earlier upon learning Hermione was seeing a girl, their jaws could now be considered unhinged at learning just who their intelligent, logic-driven friend was dating.

Harry blinked several times. "You and professor McGonagall? As in black hair in a bun, stern-face, haven't seen her smile more than once Mcgonagall? That one?" Before Hermione could respond Ron interjected his own thoughts.

"Blimey, Hermione! She's like, fifty years older than us! She's also our teacher, what are you thinking?! You could get in trouble, she could end up in Azkaban!" Hermione nodded.

"Yes, Ron, she is fifty years older than us. Yes, she is our teacher. Yes, she could end up in Azkaban. To answer your concerns: while she may be a bit older than us, witches and wizards age differently than muggles. She doesn't look or act (physically, at least) much older than thirty-five. She is our teacher, and could end up in Azkaban - which is why first, we have waited until I was of age to act on any of our feelings for each other, and why it is incredibly important that you promise me not to say anything to anyone else about this. I am putting my future, my life in your hands. Please, can I trust you to keep this to just between us for now?"

With an apprehensive look, Ron nodded. He thought Hermione had gone completely nutters. No way was McGonagall a better match for her than he was, but until she figured that out he would keep his lips closed. Harry laid a gentle hand on Hermione's arm.

"Well, congratulations, Hermione. My only question is, are you happy with her?" She grinned back at him, a look of pure happiness on her face.

"I've never been happier, Harry. She makes me happy. When she and I are together, everything feels...like it will work out in the end."

A/N: Please read and review – this is the first chapter of what will hopefully be many more to come. Let me know your thoughts on it, any improvements I can make, suggestions, or requests. Thanks!