For Your Love

[Orion's Guard]

Not different, original! The thing is, I can totally see Minerva acting that way without realizing it. She is shown to be so independent and self sufficient that it could easily be turned into spoiled tendencies. Her priorities are the school and her students, she is brave and selfless in war, she may need a break in her "home life."

[mugglemin]

I think Minerva is very out of character here, although not to begin with - the work bit in the office was plausible. HOWEVER, it is our right as fan-ficcers to "tamper" with the characters, so I can definately say that I am enjoying this story, despite the change in MM. It's different from the norm, the perspective is different and Minerva is different. In fact, I think she's been a complete COW, and Albus should have stood up to her! While I agree with her about Mr Sinatra, I really think she needs to get her act together re Mr Dumbledore! I'm looking forward to seeing how she is going to do this...

[Kimberly]

I think Minerva fell into a bad habit quickly without noticing but Albus allowed it although I still think she is responsible.

[Herzele]

I have to agree : Up until now Minerva's been a real cow ... I just hope Albus will give her the chance and she'll be able to convince him she's changed, so they can be together again ...

[tayryn]

oh my gosh... *wipes tears from eyes* it's been a long time since a story has moved me to tears... but this last chapter has done just that.

my heart literally ached for Albus... and again for Minerva as she watched herself hurting him.. even if she wasn't totally aware she was doing it.

it was a nice change to see Minerva in a not so perfect light... to see her more human.

wonderful job, ladies.

very much looking forward to more. i do hope she finds him and makes amends... and then we get them lost in kissage!!

[QuillofMinerva]

Oh my I am glad that Minerva is able to see how she actually came across to him. My heart broke at the dejected look Albus shot in her direction when he held the daisy for her. I can't believe that she would be so cruel to dismiss him like that and pick holes in him. She is out of character in my eyes but then she does come across reserved ect in the books. I am enjoying this story and am sooooooooooo interested to see how she tries to win him back.

Love
Clayre xx

[Karmin]

I missed an entire update and lost a day of reading by traveling but I'm glad I was able to read two chapters at once. It's good that Minerva's eyes were open but boy is her work cut out for her. Karmin

[Tartan Tabby]

This story is really original and I like it a lot!
Minerva overreacted quite a bit, but I can understand her a little. Sometimes you need time for yourself and don’t want someone to be around, but she could have said that in a much nicer way. And I totally agree with her about Sinatra! I also think that Albus should have told her earlier that her behaviour hurt him instead of waiting so long.

[griseldalafey]

Please, please, please update soon... this story is wonderful original. Although my heart broke for Albus *hugs him tightly, don't worry, she'll be back*

Well... he'll have her back, won't he?

Oh... the tension

[Jaya]

Another great chapter. Sometimes looking at ourselves in the 'mirror' is the hardest thing of all to do. Please let Albus give Minerva one more chance to make things right!

Jaya ;D

[TheGryffindorSeeker]

griseldalafey said:

Please, please, please update soon... this story is wonderful original. Although my heart broke for Albus *hugs him tightly, don't worry, she'll be back*

Well... he'll have her back, won't he?

Oh... the tension

*wipes tears away* i'm the same, so much tension, update soon, this is breaking my heart too

[ginger newts]

Oh, how sad! I really hope she finds him soon and he listens... Update soon!

[tayryn]

i was so distressed over the events with Albus and Minerva, i forgot to ask... what's so bad about Frank Sinatra??

i LOVE Frankie!

the man has a gorgeous voice!

[mugglemin]

Nah, Frank Sinatra had an OK voice...he's not THAT bad, but certainly not the greatest big band jazz singer ever. I prefer Nat King Cole.

Sorry, off topic! Shall add that I sincerely hope this gets updated soon!

mugs.x

[bee.]

:'(im speechless. i think im going to go cry in my corner... but not without saying i hope there's an update and a resolution very very very soon!
ecks oh ecks oh,
[glow=yellow,2,300]bee[/glow]

[TartanPhoenix]

I will agree with Minerva about Sinatra; he's wasn't as great as some people seem to think is was. I do hope however, that she has a good reason for treating Albus that way. If not, I can't blame him for leaving either. Update soon and make it all better. I'll beg if I have to.

[Kimberly]

Minerva did seem awfully picky but the more I reread the more I sort of understand some of it.

[Hogwarts Duo]

A/N: Just a quick note to let you all know that this is the halfway mark for our story. Thanks for continuing to read, despite the fact that our Minerva is a bit different from what we're all used to seeing.

Chapter 4

It had been four painful days since Albus had sent his letter then disappeared from Hogwarts. The first one had been filled with confusion and anger on Minerva’s part, until she had taken a few moments to really reflect on her recent actions and words. The second day was filled with regret, sorrow, and a deep despair since she was not sure if she honestly deserved Albus in her life. But the last two days Minerva had somehow managed to fill with hope. Hope that he would listen to her upon his return. Hope that he would be forgiving. And hope that she had the means to show him just how much she had changed.

As she stared out into darkness she was lost deep in thought. It wasn’t until her cat like eyes caught sight of a lone figure walking slowly across the grounds that she noticed him returning to the school. Her heart fluttered while her stomach bunched up in knots. Knowing just how badly she had hurt him and how cutting her words had been made her feel incredibly ashamed and unworthy. But she could not let those feelings overpower the most important one still residing in her heart…love.

She wanted to rush to his rooms and talk about the letter he had sent but he was most likely tired. At the very least, she needed to give him time to settle into his rooms and get a good night’s sleep in his own bed before taxing him with her feeble excuses and meager apologetic words. As she slid beneath her own sheets, content that at least he was back where he belonged, Minerva decided that if things were to ever be repaired between them it would take a great deal more than words. It would take placing her heart on the line and allowing him the chance to either accept it or push her away once more.

Albus had spent several days in seclusion pouring over his relationship with Minerva and desperately seeking answers to questions he could only ask her. It had been a lonely four days and his time away had only made him miss her more and long to see her. But when he thought of that last evening together, he felt the heartache once again and it was this kind of constant battle of wills that made him stay away. Sinking into his warm bed he sighed heavily, knowing that in the morning she would learn of his return and most likely demand answers from him to questions only she could ask him.

When he awoke the following morning it was to an unfamiliar sight. A single daisy and a letter lay on the opposite pillow, her pillow, and he had to blink several times before he was convinced it wasn’t all a dream. Sitting up, he placed his glasses on the end of his crooked nose then gently picked up the daisy and smelled it before daring to touch the bit of parchment which no doubt could only be from Minerva.

My Love,

I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am that you returned safely last night. These last four days have been horrible for so many reasons without you here.

I was stunned to receive your letter but I must say it caused me to pause and reflect on our relationship. I know that I have hurt you and yet I hold more love for you in my heart than even I realized at the time. I have so many things to say to you but I am willing to wait until you’re ready to speak with me.

In the meantime, please accept this simple daisy as my way of saying how happy I am that you’re home and how much I’ve missed your unannounced visits to my office.

Still yours forever,
Minerva

Albus had to blink several times and read the note more than once to make sure he was awake and actually reading the words correctly. He had expected Minerva to be angry with him for leaving so abruptly. He would have bet all his gold in Gringotts that her temper would be in full force this morning. Instead, he was given the chance to arrange a little talk on his terms and at his own pace and she had sent him a daisy. That one act made him chase memories around his mind until he found the one he was searching for. He was surprised to find that she had remembered the single daisy he had in his hand when he visited her, only to find her too engrossed in work to stop long enough to accept it. He summoned a silver vase from one of his many bookshelves and placed the flower beside his bed before answering Minerva’s request with a time for their talk later in the day.

Minerva had been noticeably absent for all of the meals that particular day, making the few staff members wonder just what was truly going on between the two of them. Albus had answered very few questions about his recent time away and when he did consent to give them details, they were lacking in the important areas such as why, where, and what happened. But Minerva had taken the entire day to gather her thoughts and to take some time to once again remember the looks on Albus’ face each and every time she had somehow hurt him. She wanted to make sure her words came out right this time because her entire future depended on this one meeting. It was the most important meeting of her life.

Standing in front of his large oak door, Minerva felt like a schoolgirl again, one that was in serious trouble and had been caught red handed. She was guilty of everything he had accused her of and the only excuse she could give was feeble, yet it remained the truth. Still, that did not excuse her behavior nor would it serve as a healing balm to Albus’ heart. Her hand shook slightly as she raised her hand to knock on his door, something she hadn’t done in years.

“It’s open, Minerva,” he called out from his sitting room. Albus had actually dreaded this moment but felt it would be best to get things out in the open rather than brood on them for days. This way they could speak freely about recent events and hopefully put it behind them. Despite how hurt he was, he could not deny the need to at least have her as a trusted friend.

[Hogwarts Duo]

She walked into his sitting room and immediately felt ashamed of herself for treating him as she had. Albus looked melancholy and there was no twinkle to be found in his eyes as she sat down beside him. Reaching into her robes, she produced a small gift and handed it to him. “I brought you these,” she said softly.

“Thank you but what is it?” Albus took the box from her hand and searched her face. He could tell that her heart was heavy and the awkward silence between them was almost deafening as he proceeded to open the package. “Sherbert lemons. Thank you.”

“I went into Honeydukes and bought them for you.” She offered an apologetic smile. “I remember a day when you practically begged me to go there with you,” she added remorsefully. “I was foolish not to pay attention to what was most important in my life back then.”

With a heavy sigh, Albus turned his gaze to the small box, remembering the incident she mentioned. He started to speak but was stalled when she reached out to cup his cheek with her warm, yet trembling hand.

“I know I deserved every word you said in your letter Albus. I hurt you terribly and I have no excuse other than the story I am about to tell you. It won’t change my actions from the past but it might shed some light on them and offer a bit of understanding.

When I was in university I fell in love with a man slightly older than me. He treated me wonderfully and I cherished every single moment with him. I actually believed we would marry one day after my graduation. But one day I ran into someone off campus that shared something with me and it turned out to be his wife. All the while he was romancing me he was married to her. Every word he had spoken to me was a lie and I found it hard to forgive him for treating me with such disrespect.

Again, I managed to pull myself together and after a time, I began dating again. This time I made sure the gentleman was not married to another, nor was he seeing anyone at the time. In fact, he was not interested in anyone besides me. He had the misguided idea that I was a woman to be controlled, by actions and deeds. And one thing led to another and before I was even aware of it, he was trying to cut me off from everyone and everything I loved. So, under cover of darkness I left him.”

Minerva took a moment to shake the unhappy feelings from her mind before continuing. “And then I met you and my entire world changed. I had never felt more loved and cared for than I did when I was with you. You made me see myself in a different light but for all of your hard work, I carried with me a great deal of emotional baggage from my previous relationships. While it was not fair to compare you to those other men, my heart was not ready to be broken again. I guess that’s when I started building up the wall around myself. A part of me still believes that I have little right to be loved by you and it was that part of me which you’ve seen these last few months.”

“I’m not those other men, Minerva and you know that. You’ve been with me long enough to know that I respect you and would never intentionally harm you. Yet for all of my efforts you still managed to push me away. At first I thought I had done something to upset you but as the feelings persisted, I came to the conclusion that maybe you just didn’t love me as I loved you. And when I planned the romantic evening for us, only to be pushed away by you, I realized that I could not continue to pour so much effort into a relationship that you obviously did not want to continue.”

“But Albus, that’s just it. I didn’t realize what I was doing until you left. I read your letter and instead of ranting and raving about what had happened, I took a long, hard look at myself and I am here to take full responsibility for what happened. I know that it won’t be easy for you to forgive and forget the past but I’m begging you,” she said as she slipped from the sofa to her knees in front of him, “to please give me a second chance. I love you too much to give up on what we had.”

“My heart can’t take any more Minerva. I’ve never loved a woman with such passionate abandon as I did you. And for all of my devotion and love, I received cold stares, angry words, and an utter disregard for the things that made me happy. It wasn’t always like that between us and after a while I began to wonder what I had done to change your mind about me.”

“It wasn’t anything you did, Albus, it was all my fault. I was a fool not to see the man before me instead of the men behind me. Because of my own insecurities, I began to push you away when I felt us getting closer. I didn’t want to be harmed myself and in the process I did more damage to both of us.” She reached up and took his hands in hers and kissed each one softly. “I don’t expect forgiveness to come easily and I’m willing to work as hard as it takes for as long as necessary to make you see that I’ve changed. I love you too much to let go so easily and some how, some way I’ll prove to you that I am not the same woman you left four days ago.”

She stood up in front of him with his hands still clasped tightly in hers. “Please, just give me another chance. I swear to you it will be worth the risk.” And with that, she leaned over and kissed him gently on each cheek then lightly on the lips. Pulling back, she ran her thumb across his warm lips. “I don’t expect an answer tonight nor do I need one tomorrow. Please, just think about what I’ve said and search your heart. If you truly wish to walk away from the good days we shared, then I will try to face that but if there’s any part of you that still loves me, I beg you to let me show you how much I’ve changed in these four days.” She walked to the door and was about to step into the hallway before she abruptly stopped and turned to stare at his unmoving form still seated on the sofa. “I love you, my knight, and I never knew how much until I lost you.”

The soft clicking of the door as it shut was the last thing Albus heard before his not so silent heartache spilled down his cheeks in the form of hot, bitter tears.

TBC...

[Herzele]

That chapter was really great ! The whole story is awesome ... I just really hope he loves her enough to give her another chance ...

[QuillofMinerva]

Ah I really enjoyed reading this chapter. I think Albus will be doing a lot of thinking in the forthcoming days and I look forward to reading about it. Keep up the great work.

Clayre x

[griseldalafey]

So this was Minerva's side of the story I guess it's Albus now who has to do ome thinking.

Lovely update!

[ginger newts]

Poor Minerva, what a horrible past. I'm glad he listened to her and I hope they work things through. Update soon!

[tabbylvr77]

AAWWW!! I love this story! Wonderful! That letter was heartbreaking! Great job!

[JKMcGonagall]

I too hope he gives her another chance.

Kay

[TheGryffindorSeeker]

Aaaaawwwwww update! update!, so good! you cant stop there lol sorry but enjoying it, so emotional *wipes a tear away*

[Jaya]

Wow... awesome update... very powerful.. very moving...

Can't wait to see if Albus forgives her unconditionally...

Jaya ;D

[TartanPhoenix]

Terrific update!!! I hope will forgive her. This is definitely a different Minerva than we're used to seeing. Update update update

[angeldust]

i can't believe how many updates i've missed!!!!! I'm so glad Minerva is coming to terms with herself lets hope Albus can aswell !

[tayryn]

got sidetracked yesterday when the muse decided to actually be co-operative... but this was a wonderful update. i feel a little more for Minerva now... heart still aches for Albus... and i hope they work everything out!