Challenge #8 ~ Giving his heart to--?

[Asphodel]

[glow=red,2,300]WARNING: HAPPY ENDING AHEAD![/glow]

OK, can you say 'attack of the rabid plot bunny'? That would be what you have here. It just happened to fit the challenge. It's going to take more than one post, but I'm rather fond of it (Which probably means you'll hate it! *Grin*) But anyway...here's my challenge response for the week!

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It was almost too chilly for Minerva to go into Hogsmead that weekend, but she was in desperate need of a new correction quill, and her tin of Ginger Newts was frighteningly low. So, gritting her teeth against the biting December cold, she had gone in with the Students for the last trip of the semester.

By the time she had managed to get the two items, as well as a few new Transfiguration articles, she was thanking Merlin that she had already gotten her Christmas presents. She had no feeling left in her nose, and she had a nasty suspicion her ears might well have fallen off. There was only on thing for it then. A Butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks.

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

The bell above the oak door gave a welcoming, cheery jangle when she opened it, instantly brightening her mood. Nodding at the greetings sent by students, she made her way to a table near the back, sitting down gratefully as Rosmerta retrieved her order.

As she warmed up a bit, looking around at all her young charges, a familiar voice caught her ear. She whipped around to the right, but was met with a gaudy Christmas Tree staring her in the face. After a moment, however, she heard the familiar voice again.

“You mean you still haven’t said anything?” The voice of Aberforth Dumbledore was unmistakable. Minerva wondered absently who was caring for Hog’s Head. Peering hard through the branches, she could vaguely make out another table.

“That is correct, Aberforth.” Albus’s calm tone truly startled her. She had thought he was staying at the school Minerva tried to ignore the small insulted part of her thoughts.

“You barmy old codger, why in the world not?” Minerva could not help but feel irritated; Albus would rather have the company of a man who calls him names than herself? Ok, so perhaps the insulted part was not so very small after all. She berated herself mentally. Certainly he had every right to spend some time with his brother? It was not as if she was his only friend in the world She pushed away her personal argument in favor of listening to what was being said.

“Aberforth, I believe I have made the reasons very clear. Time and time again, if you will recall.” A note of irritation seeped into the Headmaster’s voice.

Aberforth snorted. “All you’ve made clear is you obvious stupidity, my dear, blind brother.”

“My eyesight is fine, thank you.” Minerva suppressed a laugh. She felt a little guilty for eavesdropping like this, but it wasn’t as if the conversation would have been retold to her by Albus later anyway.

“That is not what I was referring to, although I often wonder how you can see anything past that blasted twinkle in your eyes! ” She heard the younger Dumbledore sigh. “And they call me odd.”

“Well, one does not usually do such things to goats, Aber.”

A glass clinked roughly on the table. “Damn it, Albus, would you be serious for a moment!” But he stopped when Albus began chuckling. “Wait, what am I missing?”

“I have decided to follow your advice, Aber.”

Someone choked on their drink, and Minerva could only assume it was Aberforth. When next he spoke, he sounded utterly incredulous. “You mean you’re finally going to do it? You’re finally going to tell her how you feel?” Minerva’s entire body tensed with that sentence. It was a ‘her’, and there was a ‘feeling’ involved. She wanted to kick herself for feeling so threatened, but resisted the urge in order to find out who this woman was. And discover where she lived if it was necessary. And maybe hunt her down...

“Yes, I have. I have it all planned out, Aber. I hope it will be perfect.” Albus sounded incredibly pleased with himself.

“Knowing you, it will be, Albus. Knowing you, it can’t be anything less.”

“Unless, of course, she does not feel the same.”

“Oh stop waffling on, you old coot, and tell me! Details! Blueprints! Everything! ”

“In time, Aberforth. If all goes as I hope, I will tell you precisely what will happen. For now, you need know only that on Christmas day, I plan on offering my heart to-”

“Here’s your drink, Minerva On the House.” Minerva almost wrenched herself out of her chair, not having noticed the approach of Rosmerta. Cursing silently to herself, she forced a smile on her face.

“Thank you, Rosmerta.”

Rosmerta smiled. “Think nothing of it.”

“I wont then,” Minerva muttered as the woman walked away.

She never got a chance to get her mind around the conversation she had just heard, there was a sudden scraping of chairs, and Albus and Aberforth appeared before her, both looking very nervous. It was obvious they did not want her to know. “Albus, Aberforth what are you doing here?” She forced her face into one of suprise.

Both relaxed visibly as Albus smiled and sad, “Well, my dear, I was planning on staying at Hogwarts today, but Aberforth invited me to a last minute lunch, and my stomach eagerly accepted his offer.”

She smiled. “Well, I was just heading back to the school, so if you’ll excuse me-” She rose from her seat, re-fastening her cloak and straightening her hat.

“But Minerva, you haven’t even touched your butterbeer-“ Albus began.

“Have nice afternoon, you two.” With that, she left, leaving two confused men to stare at the full bottle of butterbeer in confusion.

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH


Minerva made her way back to the castle as a whirlwind of hurt feelings and confusion. Albus was excited, elated even, at the prospect of offering his heart to...to who? This close, she had been *this* *bloody* *close* to finding out who it was, but it appeared any semblance of luck had utterly deserted her.

Her initial reaction had been jealousy. She was jealous of a woman she had undoubtedly never even met, who had stolen his heart. Had stolen the heart of the only man Minerva had ever loved. Jealousy soon faded into devastation.

They had been close friends for over 50 years, and had known each other even longer. Minerva had loved him at least 40 of those fifty years, and the life she had built up in that time had just crumbled into ruins with one conversation that she should not have heard.

She managed to hold in her tears until she had made it to her room, before collapsing on her bed, and giving into quiet sobs. She wanted to be angry with herself for behaving this way towards a man she had no romantic involvement with, but she couldn’t seem to find the strength. Albus had found another woman. Someone to share his thoughts and feelings with. Someone to share his laughter and fears with. Someone to share himself with. And it wasn’t her.

It wasn’t her.

Some time later, her tears carried her into an exhausted, miserable sleep full of broken promises never made.

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Breakfast the next morning was the single most agonizing event Minerva had ever experienced. She had to behave normally around Albus; after all, he had no idea she’d heard the conversation. He had no idea her world had been crushed into pieces by his happiness.

He inquired several times as to whether she was well, but each time she wrote it off to insomnia.

“Then perhaps you ought to see Poppy, my dear. Ask her about a mild sleeping potion?”

Minerva fought back tears when he called her ‘his dear’. She wasn’t, and she never had been. She never would be. “No Albus, I’m sure I’m fine. It was probably just the cold bothering me from when I went into Hogsmead yesterday.”

HE looked doubtful. “If you’re sure–?”

“Yes, I’m quite sure. Please excuse me, I have some papers to grade.” The excuse was plausible, if untrue. She could feel his eyes on her as she left the Great Hall.

Once she returned to her room, she found that her head hurt too badly to cry again. Pacing in front of her bed, she retraced the events of the past few days, even the past few months. There had been no hint, none at all, she felt sure of it. But Aberforth knew.

In most other instances, it was the other way around. Albus would come to her with some news or secret, and remind her not to tell Aberforth, as he would only make things worse. So was *she* the one who would only make things worse this time?

If she was honest about it, then she most certainly *was* only going to make things worse. Her feelings for Albus would not stand for anything else. But what she wanted to know was why *he* thought she shouldn’t know, because she was almost certain he had no idea about her less than platonic notions about him. The very idea made her distressed stomach knot even tighter.

She sat down on her bed with a tired sigh. Who was the woman causing all this? Who was he woman who had stolen her best friend’s heart? If se had nay brains, she would be knocked to the floor by how lucky she was to have him. Who was she?

She couldn’t ask Albus, as he didn’t know Minerva knew, and obviously didn’t *want* her to know. She wasn’t ready to go to Aberforth, whose moods she could never predict. She would just have to root around herself. She was going to find out who this woman was, and make sure she knew just how bloody lucky she was.

Consoled, if only the tiniest bit, Minerva rose from her bed and sat down at her desk. There were papers to be graded.

[Asphodel]

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

The next day being a Monday, Minerva did not have much time for investigation. She thought she might have a few minutes after her N.E.W.T.s class, but when Hermione Granger suddenly slapped Ron Weasley and left the classroom almost in tears, she knew it was not to be.

She actually ended up talking to Harry instead of the other two, who told her (with a rather embarrassed smile) that it was really his fault, as he had been trying to get them to go out for months now, with the help of almost every other Gryffindor. Sometimes things backfired, as had happened today. She let him off with a simple warning; after all, those two had been a topic of conversation at several staff meetings, and Order meetings as well.

Things kept her busy for the next three days, from a transfiguration accident with her 2nd years, to having to deal with a highly agitated Severus Snape snarling about Neville’s amazing ability to blow up everything he touched. (Minerva herself wondered how in Merlin’s name the boy had managed to make it into N.E.W.T. Potions.) She still wasn’t sleeping well at all, and her cancellation of her weekly chess game with Albus had made him even more worried about her health. In truth, his concern was what was making her feel ill, or heartbroken, as it were.

Her first chance for investigation actually came quite by accident. Friday was the first full day without students, as they had left early the previous morning. She had been busy since then getting heredule together for the next semester. She finished it just in time to present it to Albus before dinner, so she made her way up to his office, stepping past the gargoyle and up the stone steps to his door. She knocked on his door, surprised when she received no answer, as she was sure he was up here, answering the latest batch of frantic letters from Cornelius begging for help.

Opening the door, she made her way into his office, her curiosity heightened when she found he was not at his desk. She was about to sit down and wait, when she heard a noise from his private chamber. Quietly, she stuck her head into his main livng quarters, stopping dead when she saw him, standing in front of a mirror,
Fawkes resting benignly on the mantle above the unlit fireplace. Albus cleared his throat, still facing the mirror.

“My dear...” He stopped, and she waited, thinking he was addressing her. She had her mouth open to reply, when he continued. “My dearest, Merry Christmas.” She shut her mouth sharply. “I trust you are having a pleasant day?...the, the reason I am here, my dear, is actually to do more than just exchange pleasantries with you. I, I have honestly come to ask you a question. I think you know you are very important to me, my dear, but I...I think I need to clarify exactly what that means. I love you, dearest, and have for many years now. I...” He stopped suddenly, scowling in frustration. “Oh, Fawkes, this is all wrong. This doesn’t do justice to what she means to me. This has to be perfect I suppose I’ll just have to keep working on it...” Minerva quickly backed out of the room as Fawkes gave a soothing trill in return.

She was just setting her paper down on the desk to make a silent exit when she tripped on a chair. Letting out a curse, her hopes for going unnoticed were dashed as she heard him hurry to her. “Minerva! What are you doing here?” His blue eyes were full of concern, but he was nervous again, praying she hadn’t heard.

“Oh, hello Albus,” She said, not looking him in the eyes. “I was just going to drop of my semester schedule when I tripped. I didn’t think you were in.”

“Oh, well, I am...I *was* supposed to be answering some recent letters from our esteemed Minister,” She forced a snort. “But I was, uh, taking a nap.”

“I’m sorry to have woken you,” was all she said, but in her head, she yelled ‘Why don’t you want me to *know? I could *help* you! Aren’t we close enough even for that?’

“Oh, no, it’s no trouble. I’m quite glad to see you; we haven’t spent any time together in days. Stay for a few moments while I look over your schedule?” He smiled warmly at her. “I’m sure they’re fine of course, but I’d enjoy a chance to chat.”

“Oh, no, Albus, I’m...I’ve still got some papers to grade. Return it to me whenever you have the chance, there’s absolutely no rush,” Minerva replied quickly, wanting to be as far away from him as she could. She couldn’t stand knowing that not only was he in love with a woman, he didn’t even trust her with the information.

Albus frowned, concern prominent in his eyes again. “Minerva, you do not look as if you have been getting much sleep.”

“I must be staying up too late reading, I suppose,” she responded, feeling guilty for lying to him, even if he was keeping such secrets from her.

“I still think you should speak to Poppy about a Sleeping Potion, my dear,” he insisted kindly, moving to take her by the arm and escort her to the door.

“I’ll just get a good night’s sleep tonight Albus. Thank you though, for your concern!” With a fleeting, fake smile, she disappeared out of his office. Her only clear thought was that he had found another woman to name ‘dear.’

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

She did sleep late the next morning, having drifted off at about one, trying to distract her mind and more importantly, her heart. She quite missed breakfast, which she knew would lead to questions from her fellow staff members throughout the day. But it was the holidays after all, she could simply use the excuse of laziness.

At lunch, she was indeed questioned about the missed meal, and she gave her excuse, though she could tell Albus did not entirely believe her, and one look at her best friend, Poppy Pomfrey, told her the nurse saw straight through her lie. Sighing, she kenw it would have to be dealt with at some point.

Sure enough, it was around three in the afternoon when a voice came through her portrait. “Min, open up!”

“Come in,” she called back tiredly, releasing the Portrait from it’s duty. “And don’t call me Min,” she added irritably, as an afterthought.

Poppy entered, a potion vial in hand. “Hello Min,” she greeted, clearly ignoring her friend’s request.

“Hello Poppy.”

Poppy pulled her away from her desk after setting down the vial of what was obviously Sleeping Potion, settling both of them down on the neat tartan quilt covering her bed. “And now, you are going to tell me what’s the matter.”

Minerva feigned confusion. “The matter?”

Poppy scowled at her. “Min, first of all, you have never, ever *ever* missed breakfast unless you were away on a mission or dealing with students, and secondly, Albus said he is concerned that you haven’t been sleeping well.”

“And as I told him, Poppy, I have been staying up late reading and simply slept in this morning because I was tired.”

Her friends grasped her hand, and squeezed it lightly. “Minerva, please. What in the world is wrong?”

Minerva was silent for a moment, fighting the emotions that were struggling to break free. Finally, she met Poppy’s eyes, and the compassion in them was her undoing. “Everything is wrong, Poppy. Absolutely *everything*” A tear slid down her cheek.


Poppy looked almost frightened. What could have happened? “Min? Min, please talk to me!”

And she did. She told the mediwitch everything, from the conversation In Hogsmead to Albus’s monologue in his office the previous evening. And she told her longtime friend what Poppy had known mfor decades: she, Minerva McGonagall, was hopelessly, irreversibly in love with Albus Dumbledore.

“...A-and I don’t even know who she *is*!” Minerva sobbed, finishing her recount quarter of an our later, sobbing into a handkerchief produced by her friend.

As for Poppy, the nurse was confused by the situation, if not surprised by Minerva’s reaction. Albus involved with another women? Both Poppy, Serena Sinistra, Pamona Sprout and Xiomara Hooch had been convinced for years the two of them were made for each other. Something just did not sound right.

“Oh Min...I, I don’t know what to say, to do for you. This doesn’t seem like it fits, not at all!” She said, hugging her friend tightly.

“What do you mean, Poppy? I-I mean, you’ve b-been teasing me for years about loving him, but-”

“But only because I was sure he loved you back! Something just doesn’t fit here, Minevra. It just doesn’t.”

“N-not to my heart it doesn’t, no,” Minerva agreed, struggling with her tears.

Poppy sighed, saddened to see her dearest friend so lost. “Min, what if I ask Alastor? I mean, he and Albus are very good friends and-”

This got Minerva to stop crying. “You most certainly wont! Poppy, you’re right, Albus and Alastor are good friends, and while Alastor may know, or be able to find out, he could very well tell Albus about all this in the process! And Albus doesn’t even know I know, and he obviously doesn’t *want* me to!”

“Now, you don’t know that will happen, Min-”

“And you don’t know that it wont!” Another tear slipped down her cheek.

Poppy suddenly got a mischievous smile on her face. “Oh, I think I could ensure he only said what he was supposed to say.”

“And how would you do that?” She asked stubbornly.

The grin grew wider. “When you are married, there are certain...priveledges that can be...discontinued if I am so inclined. And Alastor would not like that. Not at all.”

Minerva gave a shaky laugh, drying her face. “If...do you promise?”

She seemed so sad and so much like a little girl, it made Poppy that much more determined. “I promise Min. I promise.”

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[Asphodel]

The next 3 days dragged by like something dead. Minerva was going stir crazy. Having already finished grading all her papers, but still using them as an excuse to avoid Albus, she had been forced to spend most of her days within her rooms. The Sleeping Draught Poppy had left her was helping, but it just gave more clarity to her agonizing thoughts in the daytime.

She met Poppy in the Hospital Wing at 1 for lunch. As she sat down at the desk to a heaping pile of sandwiches for the two of them, any appetite she might have had disappeared at the depressed look on her friends face. “Poppy–?”

The nurse shook her head dejectedly. “Alastor couldn’t find anything out, Min. He had lunch with Alus yesterday,” she said quietly. Minerva’s heart plummeted. “I warned him to tread carefully, so all he could do was hint around. Albus blatantly changed the subject every single time. I’m so sorry, and so is Alastor, who is, by the way, ready to kill our esteemed Headmaster for pursuing another woman.”

“It’s not his fault, Poppy,” Minerva whispered sadly. “He deserves to have a life.”

“And so do you, Min!” Came the fierce reply. There was a sigh from both of them. “So do you.”

After a moment’s silence, Minerva cleared her throat. “So, do you have your potions restocked yet?”

Poppy rolled her eyes. “Well, I *would* if Severus would only get his *wand* out of his...”HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Two days later, Minerva was feeling desperate. It was three days until Christmas, and she still had no idea who held Albus’s heart. She had become nearly obsessed, the rational part of her mind knowing that she would find out after Christmas for sure, but her heart frantic to have answers *now*. She had racked her brain for hours trying to come up with a way to learn who the mystery witch was, but in the end, she realized she had only one lead left: Aberforth.

The reason she had avoided this for so long was because Aberforth would be almost as disappointed in her as Albus would have been for her snooping and eavesdropping. And there was a very good chance he would tell his elder brother all about her confrontation. She would just have to make sure it didn’t happen. She made her way into Hogsmead again around 2 that afternoon, not even able to feel the icy chill in the air for the numbing cold in her heart.

Hog’s Head, ever the filthy rundown joint, was nearly empty as the black tabby cat slipped in through the door with a customer. Leaping gracefully up on the counter, it stared at the bearded bartender intently until he pad it some attention.

Aberforth’s dark blue eyes glittered faintly as he examined the cat, a surprised grin on his face. “I assume you’re here for a reason?” The cat meowed. “Is it something pressing? I do need to keep watch over the bar, you know—” The meow went along with a hiss this time, and he cringed slightly. “Ah, well then, if you’ll just step into my office...”

What he led the tabby to was not what most would call an ‘office.’ It was a room, yes, and it had a desk and two chairs, but that was about where the similarities ended. And the smell of goat was utterly offensive. “For god’s sake, Aberforth, how can you live with this filth?” Minerva cried, as she appeared where the cat had once stood.

Aberforth shrugged. “What can I do you for, Min?” He asked. “I assume no one is in life-threatening danger if you took the time to insult my living habits.”

“If that were the case, I wouldn’t have come to you at all,” she replied stiffly, before both shared a smile. They had hated one another during their school years, Aberforth being two years older than herself. But eventually, they had learned to live with one another, and even become rather good friends, though it was obvious both preferred Albus.

“So?” He asked, after a moment, sitting in a rotting chair, and motioning for her to do the same. She declined with a sniff.

“Aberforth, there is something I need you to understand.”

“Oh?”

She nodded. “If the conversation we are about to have ever leaves this room, or is *ever* told to another living soul, I will turn you in to something so horribly unrecognizable and irreparable, you at least wont have to worry about some mangy stray eating you.”

HE cringed. “Merlin! Well, with those persuasion tactics, how can I refuse? What’s on your mind?”

“I mean it, Aber.”

It was his turn to nod, looking more solemn than usual. “You have my word Min. Now what’s up?”

Minerva eyed him for a moment, before taking a deep breath. “I need to know who she is, Aberforth.”

He blinked. “Excuse me?”

“I need to know who Albus is going to be seeing on Christmas.”

Understanding dawned on his face, as well as several other emotions she was not fast enough to catch. “I suspected you had heard, though Albus was convinced you would have asked if you had.”


“I didn’t mean to intrude, Aberforth, I was merely surprised he was there. But now...now I need to know who she is.”

He sighed. “Curiosity killed the cat, you know.”

“And the cat destroys what does not please it,” she returned coolly.

He frowned at her. “Why do you need to know? And why come to me instead of Albus?”

“I came to you because I don’t want Albus to know I heard, as he obviously does not wish me to know anything about it. As to why I need to know...” she looked away. “I, I simply want to...to make sure she is...good enough for him.”

“You don’t trust his judgement?” Came the mild return.

“That’s not it and you know it! I simply...Aberforth,” she sighed. “Albus is my very best friend. I simply want to make sure he will...he will be happy. Please, I need to know who she is.” She ended, sounding choked.

Aberforth was looking at her strangely. “I can’t tell you.” He shook his head against her protest. “I’m sorry, Min, but I can’t. I can’t break his trust. And besides, you’ll find out soon enough, won’t you?”

She scowled hopelessly at the determined look on his face. “Aberforth–”

“No, Minerva. No. I’m sorry, but I can’t.”

She nodded finally, looking away. “Well, then, I suppose that’s all.” She turned abruptly to leave.

“Minerva-”

“Aberforth,” she whirled around. “Tell me this much at least. Did he make the right choice? Is she good enough for him?”

Aberforth gave a small smile this time. “She is certainly good enough for him, Min, I promise you that.”

She nodded, and made to turn away again. “Minerva?”

“Yes?”

His gaze was piercing. “Do you love him?”

“Yes.”

“Are you *in* love with him?”

“Yes,” she whispered, biting her lip to hold back her tears.

He nodded. As she pulled the office door shut behind her, she heard him call out, “They are perfect for one another, Minerva. They are a perfect match.”

No one noticed the tears of a black cat as it wondered through the snowy streets of Hogsmead.HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[Asphodel]

The day of the Christmas Party was spent with Poppy convincing Minerva to actually *go* and cajoling her to wear her silk midnight blue roves with the silver embroidery.

“It’s not like I have anyone to wear these for,” Minerva muttered as she slipped into them half an hour before the party.

“Oh, I don’t know, Professor Gandry isn’t bad looking,” Poppy replied absently.

“He’s even more arrogant than Lockhart, and no half as good in Defense Against the Dark Arts, which is probably the most nsulting thing I can say about *anyone*!” Minerva retorted indignantly.

Poppy rolled her eyes. “Just wear them, and put your hair in a french twist. No arguing, just doing!”

Minerva was still grumbling as they made their way to the staffroom, though both women knew it was to hide the sadness she felt. After all, this was Christmas Eve. The last night she had to thing of Albus as a single man, with a faint hope of a future with him.

She hadn’t been able to find it within her to hope the woman didn’t return Albus’s feelings. As she had told Poppy earlier, he deserved to be happy, and he deserved a life, even if it wasn’t with her. She had just always prayed it would be.

The party was a bit boring until Hagrid decided the punch was no good, and added some of his own ‘brew’ to the mix. She had no idea Severus could do the tango, though Xiomara apparently did. (“You can tell they’ve done *that* before,” commented Poppy. “Among other things,” came Minerva’s dry response.)

Professor Marcus Gandry did indeed hit on her, with less subtlety than a sixteen year old boy. She actually earned an approving nod from Severus when she told the DADA ‘teacher’ something very interesting he could do with himself. Alastor’s final remark was the real topper however, which was so inappropriate, Poppy would have hit him, had she not consumed a comfortable amount of Hagrid’s punch already. Minerva had not touched the stuff since Hagrid had kissed her three years ago and she had blushed and *giggled*. She could still remember the look on Harry Potter’s face...

The party was winding down and Minerva was talking easily with Pamona about some new plant breeding Neville Longbottom was working on when someone tapped her on the shoulder. Turning around, she came face to face with none other than Albus Dumbledore dressed in midnight blue robes as well with silver moons and stars. “I hope you are enjoying yourself?”

She nodded, her breath stolen by his closeness, fighting a gasp as his hand brushed across her shoulder. “It would appear we match, my dear.” She could only nod again, as someone switched the music to a slow song.

Albus gave an appreciative smile. “Ah, would you do me the honor of having this dance, Minerva?”

She smiled slightly. “Of course Albus.” He took her in his arms.

Minerva had danced with Albus many times over the years, and had decided long ago that there was nothing more right in the world. The feel of his body against hers, his hand fitted snugly on her waist, a thumb brushing up and down absently over hip with the beat. She almost did not notice when the song melted into a waltz, and they began to fly across the floor.

She did notice, however, when the song stopped, that everyone was staring at them, watching them in awe. She blushed, but Albus seemingly ignored them as another slow song began, pulling her back close.

It was then that the sadness hit her again, like the Knight Bus at full speed. To think that this was it. This was the last night she would ever have the opportunity to do this, to be with him and imagine something more than friendship. His heart belonged to some woman who Minerva felt sure didn’t have the damnedest clue just how *lucky* she was, no matter what Aberforth said. She fought tears as she slid closer to him, swaying with the music and the grief. She chided herself for grieving over something she never had, but as he whispered, “You look beautiful tonight, by the way, my dear,” she could think no more.

“Thank you, Albus,” she whispered. Thank you for everything.

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[Asphodel]

Minerva watched the sun rise to welcome Christmas Day. Sleep had not just been elusive the previous night, it had flat out refused to even glance in her direction. She had been to busy ignoring Poppy’s look of commiserating sympathy to remember to ask her for more Sleeping Potion. At least she had managed to keep her dignity long enough to bid Albus goodnight and make it to her rooms before her tears overtook her.

She didn’t bother going down to breakfast. She knew Poppy could tell them something. She wasn’t sure she cared.

A big part of her wished last had never happened, that it had never reminded her how perfect he was, even with his imperfections. But deep inside her, she was grateful for the chance to ‘say goodbye’ as it were.

She was looking aver the snow covered grounds, watching a bird strut proudly around in the freshly fallen flakes when a knock on her portrait startled her. “Come in!” She called, completely forgetting she was still in her flannel tartan pajamas, and her eyes were puffy and red from crying.

Her mouth fell open in surprise when Albus Dumbledore stepped in the room. She had been certain he would be off to speak to his love, whoever she was. But perhaps he hadn’t gone yet, after all, it was still early.

“Good morning Albus,” She said, irritated by the weakness in her voice.

She was shocked when he strode across the room and grabbed her arms gently. “Minerva, are you alright? You look ill!” The worry was clear in his blue eyes, no longer twinkling.

She nodded. “I’m fine, Albus, just a bit of a...cold, I suppose.” A broken heart, more accurately.

He didn’t look soothed. “Perhaps you should lay down for a bit.”

She forced a smile. “Albus, I’m fine. I’m sorry I didn’t come down to breakfast but I just wasn’t feeling hungry. Did you need me?”

He looked at her oddly, before glancing around the room again. “You haven’t even opened your presents. And,” he looked back at her. “You don’t look ill, Minerva. You look as if you haven’t slept, and you’ve been...crying.”

She reddened, even as more tears sprang into her eyes. “I’m fine, Albus, honestly.”

“Minerva,” his hand slid under her chin. “Please, tell me what’s wrong. Please? I want to help,” he whispered, looking at her so tenderly for moment she could almost make herself believe he loved her.

“I’m fine.” A tear slid down her cheek.

“Stop lying! I can’t stand to see you like this, please, please, let me make it better, whatever the problem is!” He looked almost desperate.

“Albus, if you don’t need to speak with me, I’m sure you’ve somewhere to be,” she said, trying to pull herself together.

His gaze turned slightly sharp. “Why are so sure?” She closed her eyes. “Minerva, why do you think I’ve anywhere else to be? Anywhere else I’d *want* to be?”

She missed the last emphasis. “Albus, please, just...just go.”

“Go where?” He asked quietly, looking hurt. “I’ve nowhere else to go.”

“Now *you’re* lying to *me*, Albus Dumbledore!” Minerva Finally broke. “I know, alright? I know, Albus, I heard you that day in Hogsmead with Aberforth!”

There was a moment of silence. “You...heard?”

She nodded, seeing no point in stopping now. “Yes, and I heard you a week ago, in your office planning out your...whatever it is you’re going to say to her!”

“But...why didn’t you say anything?” His grip tightened slightly around her arms.

“Because, I wanted to know who she was and why you didn’t even trust me enough to tell me! Because if you loved someone else, I thought you felt I was at least a good enough friend to let me help you or congratulate you or *something!*” She said, tears sliding continually down her cheeks now.

“Minerva...”

“And I was snooping, Albus, because I wanted to make sure she was good enough for you! That whoever the hell she is, she’s got the *slightest* clue how bloody *lucky* she is to have you! I...” But she never got any further. Albus Dumbledore’s lips were suddenly covering hers, and she felt no more need to do anything.

He held her against him for a long time, his arms slipping around her waist as he moved his mouth gently over hers, waiting for her to respond. Her hands, trembling, came up to loop arond his neck and thread through his hair, answering the movements of is tongue sweeping lightly against her lips.

Finally, he pulled back, his thumbs brushing gently over her tear-stained cheeks. “A-Albus?” She whispered, confusion and hope and love warring with one another. He’d kissed her. But he was going to offer his heart to a woman! But...but...she blinked, thoughts to jumbled and brain to tired to think it through.

“Minerva, I am so sorry for all I’ve put you through. If I had only known you overheard...I never meant to cause you any of this pain. Though, I will admit that part of me rejoices that you worried so. It makes me much more sure of what I‘m about to do.” She looked at him, mouth agape, as he pulled away, and took her hands in his.

“Minerva, my dearest, you and I have known one another for decades, and I’ve loved you just as long. You’ve been my strength and my laughter, and my warmth and my comfort for longer than I care to count or remember. You are my everything, Minerva, and my gift to you this Christmas is nothing more than a paltry offering. I offer you, my heart, Minerva Renee McGonagall, and pray you might give me yours in return. I cannot imagine this world, my *life* without you. I love you, Minerva.” He gave her a warm smile, his thumb tracing patterns over her knuckles.

Minerva looked at him in wonder, hardly daring to believe her ears. Two weeks of this hell, of not sleeping or eating and worrying and wondering had all led up to this. She began to laugh and sob all at once, burying herself in his arms as she captured his lips once more. Two weeks of hell had been more than worth it.

“I take it that’s a yes?” He asked her, moments later, pulling away once more.

She nodded, wiping a sleeve across her eyes. “Yes, yes, yes and a thousand times yes! Albus Dumbledore, I love you!” He pulled her into his arms again, rubbing her back soothingly as the settled down onto her bed, her head resting on his chest, her hand resting on his stomach as his strong arms encircled her.

After a moment, he looked down at her, kissing the top of her head. “My dear, you’re shaking!”

She nodded weakly. “Yes, I suppose I am.”

He sighed, undoing her bun and letting his fingers run through her silky black hair. “I somehow think this has been a terrible to weeks for you.” She gave a small laugh, but did not argue. “I want to hear all about it,” he whispered. “And then I want to make it all better, and make you forget your own name.”

She smiled back at him seductively. “Well, let me tell you one thing Albus, I will never again go into Hogsmead if I have the slightest feeling it’s too cold. Nothing good *ever* comes of it.”

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Several days after Christmas, Aberforth Dumbledore was wiping down the bar when a barn owl flew through a window, left a mess on the newly polished surface and dropped an envelope before flying off again Once he was finished cursing in no less than 5 different languages, he opened the blank envelope, retrieving a small piece of parchment.


Aberforth,

You were right, for once. We *are* a perfect match.


-Minerva

He smiled, putting the letter in his robes. Well, Minerva finally realized he knew what he was doing. Now if only he could get the Ministry to see the same thing about this pesky issue with his goats...


FIN

---

Bit of a long response, eh? Well, hope you enjoyed, or that it at least didn't put you to sleep. Hope I didn't break any er, challenge rules by making it more than one post! Thanks for reading! ~Asphodel

[angharad]

Very nice! I especially liked his wanting to make her forget her own name!

[Miss Q]

Absolutely wonderful, cute, sweet and well written story!!! I can easily understand why you yourself are fond of it!

M

[Catwoman99]

;D ;D ;D

You most definitely are not breaking any rules by having a long fic! Nothing wrong with that.

You should be fond of this story, it's absolutely wonderful! Nicely written and full of emotion. One of those fics that make my chest tighten in anticipation of what's going to happen.

I LOVED IT!

- April :-) *gives standing ovation*

[ginger newts]

That was really good, you should definitely feel fond of it. Poor Minerva, I could feel every bit of her anguish over those two weeks, how *dare* Albus put her through that. The ending was very sweet, I also enjoyed the bit about making her forget her own name.

[Jestana]

Oh, bravo! Such a wonderful response! I swear, you almost made me cry a couple times! The ending more than made up for it. *grin*

"When you are married, there are certain...priveledges that can be...discontinued if I am so inclined. And Alastor would not like that. Not at all."

*snicker* I loved this line! Go Poppy!

[Sensiblyquirky]

Excellent!! I can relate on her thinking she isn't going to get the guy she wants, of course my endings have been the opposite to hers, but i'm happy for Minerva!!!

Very, very well done,

Christy

[TabbyForever]

Wow...what an emotional rollacoster that was!!!But so well done!!!

You should be very proud of it indeed!!!
It was fabby!!!!
I loved it!!!
Well done....joins in April's standing ovation!!!
Jem ;D ;D

[Inappropriate Goat]

That was awesome. I felt so bad for Min. They are so perfect. Great Job

MM

[griseldalafey]

I *loved* this, it was wonderful. I can see why you're fond of it, you should be Poor Minerva, there were so many wonderful things about this fic, but the in my opinion the most heartbreaking scene was when they were dancing. But *yay* for the happy ending!

[ArabellaFiggs]

Wow that was a VERY lovely story.
Their are so cute. Thanks'

Joop

[Rosemary Dumbledore McGonagall]

I loved this! Especially Poppy's lines! Te He!

[horcruxhorror]

that was wonderful i almost cried at min's pain