Chapter Text
As it was lunch, Minerva didn’t expect to see anyone walking around the castle, especially in the rarely used hallway of the old charms wing. But as she rounded the corner, she found herself frozen at the sight in front of her. Sitting on the windowsill was Hermione. Looking her over, she found her eyes drawn to the short leather skirt she had on, contrasting with the smooth, pale legs of her student quite well. Licking her suddenly dry lips, Minerva wipes her sweaty palms over her thighs and walked over to her.
“Miss Granger?” She wasn’t all that surprised when the young woman faced her, but appeared to look through her.
“Headmistress?”
“How are you?” She asked, sitting down carefully across from her.
“I’m fine.” She said softly, turning to look back out the window.
“Are you sure Miss Granger? For the last week you’ve seemed to fade before everyone’s eyes.”
Slowly, the light brunette turned back to look at her, her expression blank. She watched her through narrowed eyes, remembering when she had snapped at the older witch that she doubted she’d tell her anything again. Tilting her head, she considered telling her the truth, however, before she could decide, they were joined by Cora, dressed in a deep blue dress that hugged her figure and ended just below her knees. Turning to her friend, she smiled, eyeing the black heels before focusing on the lose braid hanging over her shoulder.
“Have I told you how beautiful you look with your hair like that?” Hermione asked, her eyes twinkling.
Laughing softly, Cora reached out and gently caressed the young Gryffindor’s hair, “Only every night as we go to bed dear.”
“Not nearly enough then.”
Smiling, Cora glanced at the Headmistress, not missing the narrowing of her green eyes. “Ready to go?”
Hermione nodded, gathering her small purse, “Yeah.” Pushing herself up, she felt her world tilt before snapping back into focus. Reaching out, she grabbed hold of the wall and took a deep breath.
“Hermione?” Cora asked, taking a strong hold of her arms.
Beside them, Minerva stood as well, her hands out in front in case she falls.
“I’m fine,” Hermione said, flashing a quick smile, “I just stood to quickly.”
“Are you sure dear?” Cora asked as she cupped her cheek, “You’ve been looking quite drawn these last few days.” Frowning, she moved her hand to her forehead, “You’re not warm, but if you’re not feeling well, we can cancel. They’ll understand.”
Laughing softly, Hermione took hold of Cora’s hands and squeezed the, “Cora I’m fine. And we aren’t going to cancel; Henry wants to meet you.”
Sighing, Cora looked at the floor, her shoulders dropping slightly.
Frowning at the uncharacteristic move, Hermione looked her over before it dawned on her. With a small smile, she bent to catch the older woman’s eye, “Cora,” She called softly, “Are you nervous?”
When she looked up, tears had begun pooling, “What if he doesn’t like me?” She whispered, “After everything I’ve done-”
“Of course he’ll like you,” She said, squeezing her hands once more, “You’re his grandmother.”
“But if that foolish girl and her mother told him-”
“Cora,” Hermione cut in sternly, “If Miss Swan and her mother were idiotic enough to say anything about you to him in hope of swaying his decision, it won’t matter, not to him.”
“How do you know?”
She smiled, “Because he knows all about Regina and still loves her.”
“I failed her,” Cora whispered softly, so much so the other two had to strain to hear her, “I don’t want to fail him as well.”
“You won’t.”
“How d-”
“Because your heart is in the right place,” Hermione laid her hand over her heart, smiling at the strong beating she could feel under her palm, “Because for the first time in a long time, you can lover your daughter and grandson with everything you have.”
For a moment, the two Queens stared at each other, neither moving. Eventually, Cora took a deep breath and straightened up, a warm smile gracing her red lips, “Thank you, dear heart.” She whispered, kissing her lightly on the forehead.
“You’re welcome.” Hermione smiled, holding her arm out, “Shall we?”
Nodding, Cora looped her own through, “Let’s go before I change my mind.”
Turning slightly, Hermione nodded to the Headmistress, finally acknowledging her since standing, “Professor.”
Before the emerald clad witch could say anything, the two women were gone in a swirl of red smoke. Sighing, she sat back down on the windowsill, leaning back against the wall as she quietly asked herself, “What’s bothering you Hermione?”
Appearing in the spacious living area of Regina’s apartment, Hermione and Cora looked around for the owner, both frowning when they didn’t see her.
“Regina?” Calling out, Hermione carefully drew her wand as she waited.
Seconds later, the doors to the bedroom opened. Regina walked out with her hands up to her ear, clipping in an earring. “You’re early.”
“Are we?” Her asked, glancing at her wrist watch, “My watch must be fast.”
“It doesn’t matter,” the raven haired woman said, waving her hand, “He’ll be here-”
She was cut off by a sharp knock on the door. Rushing over, she opened it with a large smile, “Henry!” She cried, pulling him into a tight hug, “I’ve missed you so much!”
“I’ve missed you too mum.”
Pulling back, she smiled down at him, tugging lightly on the red scarf he wore, “You ready to meet your grandmother?”
The short brown haired boy nodded his head, “Yeah.”
Turning around, Regina guided her son to her mother, who was quietly talking to Hermione.
“Do I look alright?” She asked, running her hands over her thighs,
“You look fine.”
“Maybe I should have worn something else.”
Taking her hands in her own, Hermione smiled, “Cora, you look fine.”
“I’m nervous.”
“I know.”
“What do I say?”
“Introduce yourself; ask him about himself, what he likes to do for fun, that sought of thing.”
Before Cora could say anything more, Regina and Henry stepped in front of them.
“Mother, this is Henry,” Regina said, placing her hands on his shoulders, “Henry, this is your grandmother.”
Smiling widely, Cora unconsciously gripped Hermione’s hand tighter, “Hello Henry, your mother’s told me a lot about you.”
The small boy looked her over curiously, “Are you really the Queen of Hearts?”
“Henry!” Regina gasped, looking down at him in surprise, “Apologize!”
Cora shook her head, “No, it’s fine.” She looked back down at the curious boy, “Yes, I am the Queen of Hearts.”
“So you rip people’s hearts out?”
Before she could answer, Regina turned him to face her and crouched down, “Who told you that?”
“Emma and Mary Marguerite.” He said, glancing to the door.
The three witches turned and looked at the shifting woman blankly.
“Why am I not surprised?” Hermione whispered under her breath.
Sighing, Cora knelt down in front of the boy, “Henry,” She waited for him to look at her, “I did rip people’s hearts out, I don’t deny that, but only those who deserved it.”
“What kind of person deserves to have their heart ripped out?”
Staring coldly up at the glaring blonde, Cora slowly stood up, “People who think it’s perfectly okay to hurt defenceless children. Men who think they can take what they want from a woman, simply because she is one. That’s who.”