A/N: Here it is! The final installment! Hope it meets everyone's expectations, enjoy!

*Several days later*

Minerva paced irritably in her office, brooding over buggering up her chance with Hermione. As she paced, her eyes flicked to the face of her grandfather clock, cursing its snail like pace.

"You should go for a walk my dear," Albus urged her from his frame on the wall behind her.

"I am walking," she grumped, "can't you tell?"

"I mean out of the castle, far from here, clear your head. Pacing a groove in the floor won't make you feel any better."

She turned to glare at him. "Who says I'm doing it to feel better? Maybe I'm just thinking."

"Thinking yourself into a tizzy is more like it," he replied. "Take a book, a non work related book, and go curl up in some cafe with a cup of tea, it will help." His eyes twinkled at her and she huffed, knowing he was probably right, but refusing to admit it.

"I have too much work to do," she muttered coming around her desk and slumping into her chair.

"Yes, pacing the floor with a scowl on your face is tremendously productive," Severus sneered, reappearing in his own frame. "I thought I'd been gone long enough for you to have settled by now, clearly I was wrong."

"Och, stop it, the both of you!" Minerva pushed up and out of her chair, turning to scowl at the two paintings. "I'm leaving, but only to be rid of you two and your ridiculous badgering!" She turned on her heel and stormed out of the room, slamming the heavy oak door behind her.

She strode down the corridor, muttering to herself about nosy old men when she passed a bank of windows. She paused, taking in the scenery of the grounds far below. Maybe the nosy old men were right, maybe she did need to get out of the castle. She stared out over the forest and thought about where she might like to go.

Popping into existence in the muggle park, Minerva turned and began walking toward the gate and the street beyond it. Some tea and a book in her favourite shop would be just what she needed to clear her head for awhile.

As she waited for her drink, she scanned the small cafe, eyes drifting toward the corner where she sat with Hermione. Sighing, she retrieved her drink from the counter and made her way to a table on the other side of the room, desperately trying not to think about the young brunette.

She sat at a table in front of the window, idly watching the many muggles rushing by in the early evening light. Settling into the comfortable chair, she opened her book and began to read, becoming completely absorbed in the narrative before her.

Several hours, several chapters, and a stiff neck later, Minerva emerged from her book feeling lighter than she had for days. She stood, deposited her cup on the sideboard with the rest of the patrons' dirty dishes, and stepped out into the cool evening air. She inhaled deeply and set off toward the park, letting the good mood carry her to the gazebo where she planned to sit awhile and think.

The gravel crunched under her feet as she strolled down the path, drowning out the many city sounds that, while she appreciated muggle London, also felt like they took away from the serenity of being out of the wizarding world.

As she rounded the bend in the path and her way was illuminated by the hundreds of tiny lights, her gaze caught sight of someone sitting in the gazebo ahead of her.

"Bugger" she muttered as she slowed her pace, debating whether to continue toward the gazebo or not. Solitude was her companion, and she didn't relish sharing space with a stranger.

The stranger stood at her approach, and Minerva thanked her lucky stars that whoever it was might be leaving. She turned away to let the person pass without feeling under any scrutiny, and admired the way the lights wrapped around the trunks of the trees around her.

"Hello Minerva."

Minerva whipped around at the familiar voice saying her name. There before her, was none other than Hermione Granger, clad in the white dress from Saturday night, soft curls blowing gently in the small breeze.

"Hermione!" Minerva choked out, her face twisted in confusion and shock. "What are you doing here?"

"Waiting for you." She stepped closer, peering up at Minerva through her lashes. "I hoped you'd come back here soon. I've been here every night waiting for you, I was beginning to lose hope that you'd ever come back."

"Yes, well, I needed some time away from the castle," she muttered, gazing at Hermione with wide eyes and taking a step away from the younger witch. "Some of those bloody portraits need a silencing charm." She took a steadying breath. "What are you really doing here Hermione?" she asked, narrowing her eyes and stepping away further.

Hermione stepped along with her and Minerva's senses began to overload. She had learned her lesson last time, Hermione was off limits, no matter how she was acting, she needed to leave before she hurt the golden girl again.

"I wanted to apologize.. Minerva," Hermione uttered, looking her in the eyes. "I'm sorry for the way I reacted on Saturday. It wasn't fair to you to push you away without asking you what your intentions were. I was afraid." She stepped closer again and Minerva faltered backwards. "Afraid that the feelings I'd been trying to bury were going to be trampled on or toyed with."

"I, err," Minerva stuttered dumbly.

"Please let me finish," Hermione stepped forward once more until Minerva was all but backed against a tree. "Your touch wasn't unwelcome, I was just surprised, but I've had time to think and now it's my turn to be bold." She reached out a hand to cup Minerva's face. "If you'll let me." She stilled, and Minerva stood frozen, sure she was dreaming this entire encounter.

"Hermione," she started, gazing at the younger witch. "Are you sure about this? I don't want you to regret taking this action because of how I behaved last week. I don't want to hurt you again." She reached up to cradle the hand on her own cheek and sighed, closing her eyes at the sensation of Hermione's skin on her own.

"I thought you'd detest me when I realized my feelings for you so long ago. I've never wanted anything more in my life, knowing that you might feel the same." Hermione drew her thumb across Minerva's cheek and smiled when the older witch's eyes snapped open. "May I?"

Minerva drew in a shuddering breath, knowing this was her last chance to get out of this, to step away and avoid the possibility of things going badly again, but also knowing that if she walked away, there would be no more chances, this was it.

She nodded.

Hermione smiled again, leaning forward, eyes fluttering shut millimeters from contact. As their lips met for the first time, Minerva felt the sensation of coming home wash over her, like nothing in the world could ever be more perfect. She wound her hands around Hermione's waist, pulling her in closer and melting into the embrace at the same time.

As they broke apart, Minerva opened her eyes to gaze at the woman before her. The look in Hermione's brown eyes told her that she was ecstatic and yet still fearful. That wouldn't do. Time to be that brave Gryffindor.

"You're so beautiful." Hermione smiled at the compliment and relaxed slightly in her arms. "Would you like to go on a date with me Miss Granger?"

"Only if you promise never to call me Miss Granger again," Hermione replied.

A/N: Yay! We made it to the end! Thoughts? Let me know what you think!

Imp