Chapter Text
“I am very much still angry with you, Hermione Jean Granger.” Minerva said, our foreheads leaning against one another as we tried to catch our breaths.
She hasn’t reverted to her accent so I might be all right…
The kiss had solidified our bond and we were basking in the afterglow.
Some might think of it only as a locking of lips, a snog, but…
That moment meant the world to me.
“I know. I’m a git, my lioness. But… You… understand?” I asked as I slightly pulled back. “Don’t answer that. It was a moronic question. Of course you don’t understand. Not fully. To understand why I went after the troll… you have to know what Albus and I’s relationship is like.”
“Your… relationship?” Minerva asked, confused.
“Aye.” I cheekily replied which earned me a slap on the arm. “We are… close. The old fool is like my grandfather. He has consistently been there for me since I was a first-year and has mentored me through the difficulties I have faced up until now.” I answered, kissing Minerva’s cheek and lingering.
Minerva huffed and a whine came from her lips when my own were removed from her forehead.
“Bh knew mi gu robh an duine shligheach sin a' fhalach rudeigin…” Minerva grumbled. “He had been more reserved, more drawn into his office your first year, and it concerned me greatly. I had just assumed he had more on his plate, but… It was you all along. Is that right?”
(I knew that sly man was hiding something…)
“That is correct.” I answered, my body feeling better than it had in ages as I relaxed. “Albus and I grew close because of my circumstances. He came to rely on me for certain situations. I had grown so much, in so little time, and he felt a… kinship with me.”
“And what of me? Was I not good enough to lend an ear? To rely on?” Minerva responded, hurt lacing her voice.
“No.” I replied, my voice firm and a growl reverberating through her chambers. “You are an amazing witch and friend. Albus knows this. He just…” I tried to say with a sigh. “I won’t be able to explain it until we talk to him. I suggest we wait, go to his office together, and then you can ask all the questions that are swirling through that brilliant mind of yours.”
“Then that is what we shall do, my sumptuous snake, but will we…” Minerva replied, but then trailed off, her gaze asking a silent question.
“If you want to, Minerva.” I said, finishing her sentence. “He has no doubt felt the change and already knows that we are soulmates.”
“But… we have not bonded?” Minerva asked, her brows knitted in confusion.
“We aren’t. That is true. But the kiss we just shared… Minerva you have started to heal one of my cracks in my magic core.” I answered, the words making the older Omega halt all movement, her eyebrows going into her forehead, and her eyes widening to a comical extent. “Not even Albus could do that. He tried, but with little success. He had a habit of minging about that, but I never held it against him. Even from where he is, I’m sure he has felt the shift in my magic.”
“You… You are not lying…” Minerva said, her voice but a whisper as she put a hand to my core and tenderly caressed the spot with her fingertips. “I feel it. You are stronger than you were before. You are not at all healed, but you should be able to cast spells and charms easier. I am not a mediwitch, and we should have you checked by a professional, but this is astounding, Hermione. I have never heard of one being able to heal a broken magic core. It is just not possible. Our cores are our very being. As essential as our souls and brains. One could heal the magical conduits that act as veins and are connected to the magic core, but not the core itself. Is this… is this because we are soulmates? Because if it is… Le Merlin, dh’fhaodadh seo a bhith na thoraidhean a dh’fhaodadh atharrachadh beatha…” She added.
(By Merlin, this could be a life-changing discovery…)
“...And could help others who are broken?” I finished, hope that my being alive might benefit others who are like myself.
“Aye, it could. Damaged magic cores like yours are very very rare, but… the world is large and there are others out there like you. We sometimes forget that our community here in Britain is not all there is. It is what helped us in our battle against Grindelwald. Other magical communities offered their aid and we were able to defeat the Dark wizard and his acolytes.” Minerva said, a sad, but warm smile on her face. “And you are not broken. Something tragic happened to you, Hermione. That makes you a survivor. Never broken. Thriving with the hand you were dealt and continuing on with purpose.”
“Seasmhachd, foighidinn agus teannas a dh'ionnsaigh a h-uile duilgheadas, innse na th' ann an inntinn dhìreach. 'S e seo, a tha ann an a h-uile rud, a tha a' toirt eadar-dhealachadh eadar an anam làidir agus an anam laidir.” I mumbled with a sniff.
(Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragements, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak.)
“Thomas Carlyle?” Minerva said, surprised.
I nodded my head while carefully wrapping my arms around the older Omega.
“I was fascinated by Victorian era Muggle writings.” I said with a sigh of contentment once Minerva rested her head in the crook of my neck. “I was fascinated, oh yes, but I delved into certain persons because of a certain Transfiguration Professor.”
“Hmmm… I wonder who that could be…” Minerva hummed, a satisfied purr in her tone.
“It will remain a mystery for all time, I suppose.” I replied, a smirk plastered on my face and Minerva whined.
“Don’t you start whinging.” I rumbled as I rolled my eyes.
Minerva’s expression shifted at the roll of my eyes and something quieter replacing the faint amusement that had been there before. Her gaze lingered on my face longer than usual, searching in that careful, perceptive way she had when she believed something important was being left unsaid. A soft sadness touched her features then, subtle but unmistakable, as though she were seeing not just what stood before her now, but the long trail of hardship that had shaped it. Her lips briefly pressed together and clearly weighed her thoughts before letting them escape.
“Does it trouble you so?” Minerva asked, the question taking me off guard, her hand drifting up to my milky white eye.
I sighed and patted the older Omega’s hand.
“Yes, I can’t see out of it.” I huffed. “It’s hard to function with only one peripheral view of the world. Nurse Pomfrey tried healing it to when she first saw me, the same as the burns on half of my body, but it had the same result as you can clearly see.”
“And you never went to St. Mungo’s?” Minerva asked.
“I’m poor, Minerva. I could never afford to pay that many galleons for the type of care I would’ve needed. And… it wouldn’t have mattered anyway.” I replied with a wave of my hand. “Nurse Pomfrey told me nothing could heal me and Albus came to the same conclusion. The fire wasn’t… normal after all.”
“Not a normal fire? What do you mean?” Minerva said, eyes narrowing onto my own, her mind whirring.
“Nurse Pomfrey noticed the signs. Not being able to heal the burns that littered my person and the pain I constantly feel because of them. She could heal most anything, but when the paste didn’t work, she knew that someone had used something… dark.” I explained, a shiver wracking my body.
Minerva’s thoughts were plain as day and I could tell she had arrived at the answer.
“Protego Diabolica.” Minerva whispered, her face now pale, her Omega pheromones starting to leak out.
The anger and sadness wafting through the air was potent.
Potent enough that a protective rumble went through my chest, but I calmed myself.
I knew the older Omega wasn’t in any danger and it was just her reaction to what I had said.
“10 points to Gryffindor.” I replied, trying to lighten the mood, but Minerva’s face told me she was not amused, so I sighed and continued. “Yes, you are exactly right, my lioness. Someone had used that dark spell, the same one Grindelwald used in the Lestrange Mausoleum.”
“But… But the spell is for protection. I should know! I have a Charms Mastery!” Minerva shot back, her anger starting to bleed into her tone. “The charm is dark, aye, but it is a modifiit version o the Protego charm... Someone modifiit it once more an usit it tae harm yer family?!” She continued, her accent now blooming with said anger. “Gun chreidsinn! Tha sin- Tha sin…” She tried to say, now speaking her mother tongue.
(Unbelievable! That is- That is…)
“It’s all right, Minerva.” I murmured, gently taking Minerva’s hand and lifting it to my lips. The simple contact seemed to steady her somewhat, the warmth passing between us grounding in a way words alone rarely managed. “I understand your anger. In truth, it mirrors my own rather closely. After my parents were murdered, I devoted an embarrassing amount of intellectual and emotional energy to imagining what I might do if I ever discovered who was responsible. The desire for retribution was… comprehensive. All-consuming. Gaia, I was eleven and contemplating murder. I wanted to utterly dismantle them and return the harm tenfold. But anger, when left unchecked, becomes rather inefficient. It consumes time, clarity, and judgment. I eventually realized I had allowed it to reshape me into someone deeply unpleasant to be around. Sharp, suspicious, and quite alone. At the time, the only people who tolerated me were Albus and Severnia. That doesn’t mean I have abandoned the matter entirely. Justice, properly pursued, still holds value. What I have done is learn to regulate the anger so that it serves me rather than governs me. It’s still very much a work in progress… Particularly now, given the additional instincts that come with being an Alpha… But progress, I’ve found, is usually a matter of persistence rather than perfection.” I finished with a sad smile.
With that, Minerva’s breathing gradually steadied, the tension easing from her shoulders as the storm within her settled. The sharp brilliance of her emerald-green eyes softened, their intensity melting into something warmer, more vulnerable. I could feel the quiet resonance of our bond humming between us. It was an unspoken current that carried reassurance where words would only falter. Bit by bit, her body relaxed beneath my touch, the furious blaze of her anger dimming from a scorching inferno to a low, controlled flame.
Still, I remained careful - mindful of the delicate balance between us - some fires were meant to warm, not be provoked into burning once more.
“A bheil thu ceart gu leòr a-nis, Minerva?” I said in her mother tongue, my words whispered and sweet.
(Are you all right now, Minerva?)
“I… Aye, lass, I am all right.” Minerva replied as she took a steadying breath.
“Do you think you might be up to having that discussion with Albus?” I asked. “It’s late, but I would assume you would want your answers now rather than later.”
“You would assume correctly.” Minerva said, a determined glint in her eyes. “I think it is time my old friend comes clean about the secrets he has been holding…”
Albus…
I hope you are ready to receive Minerva McGonagall…
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
POV: Minerva
Processing.
I was still very much processing Hermione’s words.
The secrets…
Her pain…
And the healing of her magic core…
It was a lot for one night such as this.
Hearing my soulmate recount how she found out why she could never be healed made my blood white-hot with undulating fury. My Scottish anger flared in my soul as I looked upon the state of her and I so badly wanted to find whoever hurt her. I had survived a war, but most of my wounds were on the inside. She had to live with them, bear them each day, and my Omega hindbrain could not bear it. I felt her whine within my own mind, her tone taking on one of misery, and I felt the same.
I had waited an eternity for our fated one and to see how they had been wronged by the world around them…
It made me want to weep in spades.
But, right at this moment, I was due some answers and Albus was going to recompense me for all of these years.
I had removed myself from Hermione’s lap, stood on my own two feet, and flattened out my ruffled robes. It would not be proper for us to show up to Albus’s office in this way. I doubt he would be comfortable to see Hermione and I, disheveled, like we just had a quick romp. He was more than likely to tease me about it and I could not suffer the embarrassment. I had been telling him for years that I would not find another to love. He had always said I needed to keep my mind open, but I was a stubborn witch and I would not budge on the subject when he brought it up. My many failed relationships made me jaded, closed off to the idea altogether, but once I stared into Hermione’s sun-kissed eyes…
I knew my ill-fated battle with love would be lost…
I had reservations.
We were Professor and student.
We had an age gap that put us into different worlds.
And we both had scars from the past.
But…
I was so very tired of not pursuing my wants and needs.
My students were my children, my cubs, but I yearned to have a partner who would give me cubs of our own. I wanted a partner who could be there for me in all things, protect me when my back was turned, and pick me up when I could no longer go on.
“My lioness?” Hermione asked, her voice rough and low. “Are you absolutely sure you are fit to do this tonight?”
Hermione’s words brought me out of my thoughts and I smiled warmly at her.
“I am.” I answered while gently wrapping an arm around the younger Alpha’s waist. “I aim to collect what I am due and nothing will stop me, my sagacious snake. You know this.” I added, turning my head to look at her and raising an eyebrow in her direction.
“I do.” Hermione said with a raspy chuckle and a rumble.
“Well then… Let us be off.” I said, making sure to cast a Protego Corpus around Hermione’s body so that she was not hurt like last time.
The charm wrapped around her body, an invisible shield coating her person, and would ward off unwanted interferences like the side effects of apparating.
Once that was done, a pop resounded through the space we were in and I apparated us to Albus’s chambers. His office and chambers were in the turret of Hogwarts. One would usually have to take the spiral, stone staircase that was guarded by a stone gargoyle, but I did not have the time nor the patience to walk that far.
Nor would I subject Hermione to limping that far.
And another pop resounded in my ears when we made it to our destination.
I felt the younger Alpha’s fingers digging into my side, her eyes shut tight, but they snapped open and looked down at her body.
“I… don’t hurt?” Hermione blurted out, her voice tinged with confusion. “Why doesn’t my body feel like it’s being simultaneously crushed and burned?”
“That’s because I cast Protego Corpus before apparating us.” I answered, a warm smile plastered on my face. “I vividly remember how your body reacted before and wanted to prevent that from happening again.”
Hermione looked at me warmly as well, her rough features smoothing out, and reached out so she could entwine her fingers in my own. The warmth of her touch radiated through my body and I felt at peace.
“My radiant, intelligent, Gryffindor.” Hermione whispered, a low growl to her voice that sent a tingle down my spine. I was an old witch, and had not felt like lovestruck schoolgirl since my teens, but this sly lass had me wrapped around her finger and practically begging for her attention. “I adore that your mind pays attention and retains that kind of information. So… for the bottom of my blackened heart… thank you.”
I brought our entwined hands up to my lips and kissed the back of the younger Alpha’s hand.
“You are very welcome.” I answered. “Now, how about we see what the old fool has to say?”
Hermione smirked, a low rumble of approval slipping from her lips before she turned toward the large oak door that announced the office of Albus Dumbledore long before one ever stepped inside. The entrance was a curious thing and was almost alive in its design. It was widely known that the Headmaster of Hogwarts was attuned to the castle itself, and the ancient magic of the building reshaped the headmaster’s turret to reflect the witch or wizard who held the position.
The older Omega’s door was a perfect example of that strange harmony.
The oak surface was crowded with intricate carvings that seemed to shift if one watched them too closely: little sherbet lemons twirling in place, proud Gryffindor lions stretching through curling patterns, musical insignias that swayed as though caught in an unheard melody, and a graceful Phoenix whose wings rippled along the grain of the wood. Near the top, however, sat the most unsettling detail. There was a pair of mismatched eyes worked into the carving, their subtle movements sending an unpleasant shiver down my spine whenever my gaze lingered too long, and I cursed Albus for the past.
At the center of it all rested a polished brass knocker. The younger Alpha reached for it without hesitation and rapped it firmly against the door, signaling that visitors had arrived.
It was not even a second later that the door opened and a tired looking Albus Dumbledore, clad in his night robes, stood before us…
“Minny and… ‘Mione? Albus said, his voice telling of his tiredness.
Hermione stiffened, scoffed, and then growled at the nickname.
“Albus.” Hermione drawled, snarling all the while. “As you can see… There’s another witch right next to me. Let’s not be too familiar, yes?”
Instead of looking abashed, the older Omega waved the younger Alpha’s concerns away with his hand and a warm smile was now plastered onto his face. He always seemed to be in deep thought, never giving away his views on any given subject, but this night seemed to be a turning point.
Aye, it indeed was…
“And that is the question of the hour… is it not?” I added, my voice flat. “That the both of you are familiar. And I did not know.”
Albus turned those ever twinkling eyes to me and I saw them dim a tad bit at my words.
“How about you both come inside and we can discuss this.” Albus replied, his Omega pheromones flaring, his scent calming.
I slightly turned my head to look at Hermione and saw that it had affected her as well. The rigid tension that usually defined her posture had eased; her shoulders had sagged a fraction, and her back - normally held as straight as a drawn wand - had softened into something more natural. Even the faint grinding of her teeth, a telltale sign that her mind was racing faster than the moment allowed, had finally stilled. For once, the relentless engine of her thoughts seemed to have quieted, leaving her standing there in a rare moment of calm.
“That’s…” Hermione started to say then sighed. “Alright then…” She said in resignation.
The older Omega motioned for us to follow him, a small smile on his usually haggard face, and proceeded to walk back into his office. Much like my own office, his was littered with trinkets and baubles that spoke of his personality. The three of us strode to his desk in silence and took our respective seats. Albus then flourished his hand and, in an instant, he was dressed in more company appropriate robes. The sight startled me not because of his use of wandless magic, but because of the colours. The robe looked expensive, well-cared for, and had colours that resemble his lost love. Icy blues, dark greens, and the blackest of blacks made up the robes colours. The eyes magically carved into the door was startling enough, but seeing his care for the Dark wizard even now made my chest painfully restrict.
But I understood.
I fully understood now.
The younger Alpha must have noticed something was amiss because I felt her hand on my knee and, the comforting warmth I associated with her, flowed through my body. Her own Alpha pheromones were in the air, my keen nose almost missing the scent, but I could tell she had done both actions to soothe me.
“It is done then?” Albus said, a larger smile now on his face as he looked between Hermione and I. “No… No you have not yet sealed your bond, but you both have started down that path.” He continued, his gaze focusing on the younger Alpha. “I can feel it. One of the three cracks in your magic core have begun to heal. Not yet fully healed, no, but if you complete the bond it will be.”
“I am delighted, overjoyed even, to hear that, but…” I started to say, my anger flaring, and my Omega pheromones pushing at Albus. “Why i the world did ye hide this from ma, Albus?! A thoucht we sharit awthing, were ilka other's shoulder tae cry on, but ye hid this from me?” I angrily blurted out.
“Minerva…” Hermione lowly rumbled, trying to intervene, but I was having none of it at the moment.
Some may think this an overreaction, maybe even Hermione herself, but Albus was my confidant. He was the wizard I looked up to, the one who kept me alive during the war, and the one who always had faith in me when no others did. It was not about the act itself, but more about the rationale behind the act. Him keeping this secret meant he thought I was not worthy enough to be told.
I did not know what had changed, but this…
This wounded me.
“Minny…” Albus said, his words tapering off as we looked at one another. “I am sure you are having some preposterous thoughts in that brilliant mind of yours, but rest assured, it was not because I did not trust you. Reign in that Gryffindor anger and let us explain. Please, my old friend?”
“Us?” I replied.
“Yes, us, my lioness.” Hermione interjected, her fingers running simple patterns on my knee. “I’m here because I could shed some light on Albus’s decision. He could build the foundation, but I could provide the integral parts to this story.” She continued, her attention now fully on me. “But let me say that you are important, you will always be important, and that is the indisputable truth. Salazar-be-damned… I trust you.”
The younger Alpha’s words calmed me once again and I relaxed back into the chair.
“So why the secret? Why not tell me you had grown fond of Hermione?” I asked.
“Hermione was an unseen variable.” Albus started. “It was her first year that we had crossed paths. I had… felt a bond with the girl. It was a familial bond, but… I was… wary. I looked at this broken girl who was as skittish as a cat and saw how closed off she was. I had seen into her mind and saw that she would react poorly to the mention of our familial bond, so I took our tenuous relationship one step at a time.”
“He kept this a secret for my sake, Minerva.” Hermione added as she looked at me. “It might seem like we have known each other for epochs, but our relationship is new. Keep that in mine, yes? That ache in your chest is warranted, but we didn’t deliberately do this to wound you. Albus may be a twittering twit, but he is your friend and I’m you’re soulmate.”
“What the sly Slytherin says is true.” Albus added, my attention now turning to him. “We originally kept this close because we did not want Hermione’s situation to get worse.”
“I told you that. Remember?” Hermione said. “The bullying was horrific and informing the whole school that I was close with Albus would’ve made the situation that much worse. Not even Severnia knows and I’m sure that vexes her to no end. I had rarely, if ever, eaten at the Great Hall and decided to spend my time here in his office.”
“And, might I add, Hermione is also a set of my eyes and ears.” Albus added. “I have ways outside of this school, and even inside of it, but Hermione is… infallible. Dependable. I trust her to report the whole truth and not embellish her words like some have done in the past…”
He was must talking about-
“Infallible?” I repeated, interrupting my own thoughts, and shaking my head, not understanding the gravity of that word in this conversation. “And I find that absolutely deplorable, Albus. You may have a familial bond with Hermione, but she is still just a sixth-year. A student. You yourself said you found my involvement, children's involvement, in the war revolting. So why bring Hermione into the fold?” I asked, trying to remain calm.
It was incomprehensible to think that Albus had Hermione doing his bidding…
After everything?
“I did say that, yes. But I also did not force Hermione into this.” Albus answered as he stroked his long, white beard. “Her involvement was only to be my eyes and ears. The troll incident was the first time that she had gotten directly involved. Merlin, I never want to endanger children Minny, but Hermione has a set of skills that were particularly useful. The Professors would not have gotten there in time and I had faith she would not imperil herself. We have a cacophony of children, the same children we both very much care for, here at Hogwarts and Hermione was the best fit to handle the threat at the time.”
“That is also true.” Hermione added, her hand finding my own, entwining our fingers together, and the familiar warmth seeped into me. “I slipped by most everyone in the Great Hall by using the shadows and would’ve gotten there quicker if I hadn’t run into the annoying duo.” She finished with a playful roll of her eyes.
“With those words of yours Hermione, I must congratulate you on making your first friends!” Albus said with a cheeky smile. “It only took you five whole years, but thank Godric Gryffindor himself, I can finally rest in peace knowing you are capable of socializing like a proper witch.”
“Sod off, Albus.” Hermione simultaneously hissed and growled, angry pheromones leaking in the air.
The older Omega just chuckled at Hermione’s harsh words and even seemed tickled by the response.
“You only get angry when you know I am right.” Albus smugly replied, his own pheromones pushing back in a battle of wills.
“You-” Hermione started, but I interrupted.
“Am faod sibh clann an seo a chuir stop gu bàs?” I said in my mother tongue, my tone laced with finality.
(Can you children stop this at once?)
The younger Alpha and Albus looked at me, the bickering between the two coming to a screeching halt, and the office was silent.
“I’m…” Hermiome started to say, her face scrunching up. “...Sorry.”
“Ha! I never thought I would see the day that Hermione Jean Granger uttered an apology of all things to someone.” Albus said, not unkindly. “And I am sorry as well, Minny. Our bickering is a common enough thing, but we should not do it in front of you.”
“If you are both quite done…” I said, waiting for the two to look at me. “This has been an insightful talk, but it is late. It was late and now it is even later. I would like to get some rest before classes tomorrow.” I finished as I started to get up.
“Right you are.” Albus replied and then turned to Hermione. “You should rest as well. You also have classes, knowledge to learn, and practical skills to do. You need to be at your utmost best so you can do your foremost.”
“Salazar’s snakes…” Hermione rumbled, her hands gently rubbing at her face. “You’re… correct and I despise that you are.” She added as she also got up.
“But before you go…” Albus said. “I am overjoyed for both of you. There will be many challenges, and many more joyful moments, but only three will heal the test of time.” He ominously finished as I apparated Hermione and I away.
Only three?
Heal the test of time…
What in the world was Albus talking about?
And now Hermione and I have to think about completing the bond if she wants to fully heal one of the cracks in her magic core…
But what about the other two?
You are missing something, Minerva McGonagall…