Crowns

Walking down the hallway, mentally going over a list of things she had to do before she could go up to her quarters to start getting ready for the ball, Minerva sighed. She had so much to do, she doubted she could even find the time to just sit and rest for a few minutes. Shaking her head, she adjusted her glasses and started making her way down the moving staircases. Down several levels, Hermione and Regina were making their way up to the Gryffindor Tower. Thanks to her enhanced hearing, Minerva could pick up most of what the pair was talking about.

"So what have you done with it dear? Is it safe?"

'It? What is it?' Minerva frowned at the cool answer.

"I have the two best sorcerers guarding it, though only one knows it."

"Who?"

"The Headmistress and Headmaster Snape."

"You gave it to the person who-"

Waiting for the staircase to move into place, Minerva listened closely to the conversation happening beneath her, flinching at the cold laugh that floated up.

"The one thing I know for sure about the Headmistress is this, she will crush you if she believes it is for your own good, but she would not kill you. Besides, she can't get her hands on it, neither can Headmaster Snape."

Minerva pursed her lips as the girl's words pierced her heart. She wanted to step in and deny t, but she didn't when the one question she had wanted to ask Hermione was asked by the strange new woman.

"You never explained how she knew."

"I wrote her on the run."

Even high above them, she could hear the disbelief in the woman's voice.

"You wrote her a letter explaining your love to her, even though you knew nothing would come of it."

"You're in rare form today your majesty."

"Don't change the topic dear."

"The letter was charmed to be delivered upon my death. During my…stay at Malfoy Manor, my heart stopped. The second it stopped beating, the letter was delivered. If that hadn't of happened, I would not have told her."

"So it was a mistake?"

"Yes."

Leaning against the banister, Minerva blinked back the sudden tears, barely hearing the two woman below.

"We should start getting ready."

"It's going to take hours to do my hair."

Not even Hermione's warm laugh was enough to break her from her pained stupor. Minutes passed with Minerva still leaning against the banister, eyes tightly closed to keep the tears at bay. Beside her, the portrait of a young lady cleared her throat, startling the older witch. Looking at the long gone lady, she nodded her head and turned, drawing her mask around her once more. When she stepped off the last stair, she was once again Professor McGonagall.

Later that night, Hermione walked down the corridor to the Great Hall, the sound of her heels clicking echoing down the empty hallway. Stopping in front of the window, she looked at her reflection with a critical eye. Her hair had been lengthened magically, so it now hung freely at her hips. Looking further down, she smiled at the snug dress. The minute she had laid eyes on the red dress in Regina's walk in, she had wanted it. The red velvet was warm against her skin, as was the soft black lace that wrapped around each of her thumbs. But what really caught her eye was the panel of lace covering the plunging neckline. Yes, she had chosen the right dress for tonight. Picking up the long train, she continued on her way.

Stopping in the doorway of the hall, she looked the crowd over. A few turned to see who the new and somewhat late arrival was and immediately turned to their neighbour to whisper about her.

"Merlin, look at her!"

"Where'd she get the dress? Nothing like that was even available!"

"Who knew the bookworm had it in her."

Smirking at the whispers, she made her way over to the person she was looking for. Striding up to the pair confidently, she picked up one of the cups of punch beside her and nodded her head respectfully. "Professor Sprout."

Smiling warmly at the girl, the Herbology professor nodded back, "Miss Granger, you look wonderful tonight."

"Thank you Professor." She said, smiling slightly in return.

"Wow Hermione!" Neville gushed, looking her over, "You look fantastic!"

Smiling wider, Hermione wiped at his shoulder, "You clean up pretty good too."

"Thanks Hermione."

Laughing softly, she gestured to the dance floor, "Shall we show them how it's done?"

"I would love to dance with a beautiful woman." Taking her hand, he stepped away, nodding to his favourite teacher, "Professor."

"Go and have fun you two." She laughed, smiling knowingly at them.

Joining the crowd of dancers expertly, Hermione smiled, relaxing slightly in the presence of her friend. "She thinks we're together."

"So does the rest of the school."

"If only they knew." She scoffed.

"I hope they don't." Neville shot back.

Laughing loudly, Hermione dropped the subject and just enjoyed the dance with her friend as he easily guided them around the stumbling couples. Spinning them around sharply, Neville watched the train Hermione still held in her hand flared out, barely missing a couple from the grade below them. Grinning widely at his friend, he spun her under his arm, glad when she laughed once more.

"May I cut in?"

Stopping at the question, the pair turned and looked at the older woman. "Headmistress."

Minerva smiled slightly at the young lady before looking at Neville, "May I?"

Looking the usually stern woman over, Hermione arches her brow at the thigh high slit of her white dress. Beside her, Neville looked at her questioningly. Tilting her head, she looked at the over coat she wore, noting the similarity to the one Regina had pulled out for the night.

"Of course." Neville bowed, handing Hermione over to the Headmistress.

Taking the older witches hand, Hermione noticed the gems decorating the point of her sleeve. Relaxing enough to allow for the quick steps the Headmistress was leading her in; she absentmindedly noticed the same gems dotting the mesh covered cleavage.

"You look lovely Miss Granger." Minerva complimented.

Arching her brow slightly, Hermione inclined her head, " As do you Headmistress. Are you to be your namesake?"

Smirking, Minerva twirled them around in a sharp circle, the slit in her dress allowing everyone to see glimpses of her long legs. "What about you? Who are you tonight?"

"I am a Queen."

"Where's your crown?"

"A crown does not make you a Queen, how you treat your subjects does."

"Wise words," Minerva frowned, "Who said them?"

Watching the older woman closely, Hermione answered, "Regina."

The change in the older woman was immediate.

"And where is Ms Mills?" Minerva asked, "I have not seen her since this afternoon." Straight away Minerva regretted her words, she had no wish to let the young lady know she had heard their conversation on the stairs.

Hermione frowned, "She's getting ready." Tilting her head, she smirked in amusement, "She likes to make an entrance."

This time it was Minerva who arched her brow in question, "Much like you did?"

"Not quite."

After the quick exchange, neither spoke for the rest of the dance. Knowing the song was coming to a stop, Minerva twirled them around. Smiling slightly, she tipped her head, "You are a wonderful dancer."

Stepping back, Hermione smiled, "Thank you Headmistress. As are y-" She didn't get to finish her sentence as her attention, as well as everyone else's was drawn to the dark purple smoke swirling around on the raised platform at the back of the hall.

Acting quickly, Minerva stepped in front of Hermione, drawing her wand, only to frown in confusion as the smoke cleared. Standing there was Regina, dressed in her tight black dress and coat and tails, all covered with gems.

"Sorry I'm late." She smiled, sounding anything but, "But I had to pick something up." She stepped up the platform, once again disappearing from sight in a cloud of smoke.

She reappeared in front of Hermione and Minerva, "Hello dear."

Smiling, Hermione bowed, just as Regina had shown her. "Your majesty."

Frowning, Minerva looked between the two.

"Come now," Regina cooed, raising Hermione with her gloved hand, "There is no need for that dear," She smiled, "Are we not equals?"

Hermione looked at her friend closely, searching her expertly blank face for any clue, "Regina, tell me you didn't."

Regina bowed, her long dark ponytail swinging over her shoulder, "You crown," she smiled, holding out the silver, diamond crown, "Your Highness."