My Professor

Chapter 30

"Did you see how happy Bella was this morning" Minerva said looking from Severus to Dumbledore.
"Yes, indeed I did" Dumbledore leaned back in his chair.
"I haven't seen her that happy in a long time."  Severus said his eyes drifting to Minerva.
" Nor' have I..." Minerva agreed with Severus Glancing around him for a moment before turning her attention back to Dumbledore.

The three continued their discussion, going off track slightly that was until Minerva recalled Bellatrix's little slip up involving a certain wolf.
"Anyway, now this morning Bella mentioned Greyback, she wouldn't tell me exactly what happened but I'm not stupid. I know what that vile beast is like and I know what his so called lord wants." Minerva's voice rose towards the end, her blood bubbling inside her veins.
Minerva wasn't someone who usually lost control however Bellatrix was indeed a sensitive subject. Anything involving Bellatrix sent Minerva right over the edge, and let's just say if you were to lay a hand on or talk bad about that girl in front of Minerva, you'd best be a fast runner.

Severus senses Minerva's anger slowly creeping in, as did Dumbledore, however it was Severus who made the effort to comfort her, Just as he usually does, not that Albus was going to complain. Minerva might be his dear, dear friend but Severus definitely has a certain effect on her unlike himself who sometimes only made the situation worse.

Severus knew full well that Albus would make little comments about this when they were alone, he always did, however right now all that mattered was calming Minerva down.
Without even thinking his hand found hers, and a single glance at the the man calmed Minerva down more than words ever could.
That was the beauty of their...whatever this was between them, they needn't speak to understand each other. A single look told the other everything they needed to know.

"Don't worry Minerva he will certainly not get what he wants. Which is why we have kept the boy safe all these years. He will defeat him once and for all" Dumbledore said.
"Will he though, will he really" Minerva's voice falters ever so slightly that no one would have noticed. But Dumbledore and Severus certainly did.

Albus makes effort to change the subject knowing where this conversation was headed and desperately wanted to avoid it at all costs.
" Right, now let's discuss the topic behind why I really called you here..."

***

Later that evening at Minerva's chambers, the woman waited impatiently strumming her long nails against the hard wood of her kitchen table at the same time Severus made a pot of tea whilst the pair wait for Bellatrix to arrive, who would no doubt show up any time now.
Minerva glanced at her watch, it was exactly five minutes before Bellatrix was due to arrive, however just as Minerva turned her attention back to the man before her a knock to the door caught her attention. Minerva was about to rise to her feet to get the door, but a hand to her shoulder put a stop to that.

"I'll get it, you calm down and have some tea." Minerva nods, definitely not in the mood to argue with Severus...not now anyway.
Severus makes his way to the door and opens it, Bellatrix quirks her brow.
"Tea's on the table." He closes the door.
"And the biscuits?"
Severus scoffs, a smile daring to tug at his lips "you're a pain in the arse."
The pair enter the kitchen, Severus reaching for the biscuits whilst Bellatrix sat beside Minerva.
"The custard creams are at the very back." Minerva looks to Severus as he turns around to retrieve the other jar of biscuits.
"Rolanda?"
"That woman is worse than you." Minerva sips her tea.
"I find that hard to believe, Bellatrix ate my entire tin full of biscuits in one go."
"That was two months ago, get over it." Bellatrix rolls her eyes at Severus.

The three sat at the table drinking their tea filling each other in on the events of their day.
They had taken their conversation to the living room where Minerva sat next to Bellatrix, whilst Severus sat in Minerva's arm chair.

"You scared me today you know." Minerva looks to the girl beside her.
"Storming off like that, then Severus couldn't find you."
Bellatrix reaches for the woman's hand, guilt tugging at her conscious.
"You needn't worry so much about me."
"Well, I wouldn't have to worry if you stayed where I know you're safe"
"I'm not a caged animal, nor am I some fragile little princess."
"Bellatrix, I only want to keep you safe" Minerva sighs.
"I know, but you need to trust me."
"I do, I just don't trust the rest of the world."

Bellatrix's eyes flicker to Severus who arches his brow and her attention turned back to the woman before her, she knew the woman meant well, and understood how Minerva felt, for she feels the same way about a very small selection of people, Minerva being one of them.

"It's funny you should say that, because that's exactly how I feel when you go off gallivanting without informing me."
"I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself." Minerva informs the girl.
"So am I, after all I was raised by one of the greatest witches alive." Bellatrix arches her brow, a smile forming on her lips.
"Well I don't suppose I could argue with that." Minerva tucks a strand of loose hair behind her ear, completely oblivious of the amused grin spread across Severus' face as he watches her.

Bellatrix chuckles squeezing the woman's hand in her own.
"Now, what's this about Greyback?"
Snap! Bellatrix was sure she'd gotten away without mentioning that for a moment...then again this was Minerva Mcgonagall she's talking to.
"Oh nothing to worry about. That's been dealt with now. I'm perfectly fine as you can see, though I can't say the same for him."
"Did you hex him?"
The events passed through Bellatrix's mind as though it happened only a few seconds ago.
"...Something like that." She smiles.

***

Bellatrix was just about to sit down when a knock on the door caught her attention. She groaned as she made her way towards the door.
"You're either very brave or very stupid to be knocking on my door at this time!" Bellatrix snaps as she flung the door open, however her expression soon changed from that of someone about to commit a murder to that of a surprised person.
"Granger?"
Hermione smirks at the woman's look of surprise, finding it rather adorable.
"I've brought you the hoodie."
"Why?"
"I figured you might like to keep it." Hermione shrugs.
"Now why would I want to keep your jumper?" Bellatrix folds her arms, leaning against the door.
"Who knows, you're the one that stole it to begin with, I just thought you might like it back." Hermione took a step closer.
"I didn't steel it, I was keeping it safe." Bellatrix snaps.
"Then maybe you could continue keeping it safe for me." The taller witch smiles, holding the hoodie up.
"Fine, if it means you'll shut up I'll keep it safe." Bellatrix snatches the hoodie from the brunette and went inside placing it on the back of the settee.

Hermione examines the hallway for prying eyes, satisfied there was none she quickly enters the woman's chambers, locking the door behind her.
"What are you doing?" Bellatrix furrows her brows.
"You're bed is much comfier than mine." Hermione said innocently as she closed the gap between them.
"Bold of you to assume I'll let you share my bed again."
"Oh you will." Hermione smiles wrapping her arms around the woman's waist.
"I think I preferred you when you were this shy girl who was absolutely petrified of me."
"Oh really? Well I don't." She quickly captures the woman's lips with her own, loving the surprised moan that escaped the ravenette.
"I've been craving this all day." Hermione admits, nibbling the woman's lower lip.
"Oh really? Well I've been craving a cup of piping hot tea all day. Be a dear and make me some will you?" Bellatrix pulls away from the frowning girl.
"Fine, but can I have another kiss first?"
"Tea first, kisses later." Bellatrix smiles sauntering towards the settee, she glances behind to see a frowning Hermione.
Bellatrix winks, blowing the groaning brunette a kiss as she heads towards the kitchen.
Sighing Bellatrix finally sat down on her own settee and leaned back into the cushion closing her eyes.