MINERVA MCGONAGALL x ALBUS DUMBLEDORE (Request)

(this was a request sent in on the old book, so I've tweaked it and put it in here. I'm really sorry I can't remember who sent it in but if you're reading this now, I'm sorry I forgot your name:)

Set in: Chamber of Secrets

~~~

"I love this place, but it's haunted, without you"

'Finally, some peace and quiet'

Minerva enjoyed the silence up in the astronomy tower, as she was finally left to welcome her own thoughts. However, the chilly air brought her back to reality. After a long and stressful day, Minerva, at last, had some time to breathe.

Teaching was becoming a hassle. Minerva had already had to break up three fights this morning- all before even making it down to the great hall. She had given out 5 detentions and she couldn't stand those insufferable Slytherins, thinking they rule the roost! To say she was worn out was an understatement.

'I can't keep us this act forever'

On the outside, Minerva McGonagall was not a woman to be crossed, with an arched brow that would send chills down the Dark Lord's back. She was strong and independent, always keeping a stiff upper lip.

But this was all a facade.

Deep down, Minerva was simply lonely. She was alone, no one to truly care for her. With two failed love lives under her belt, she thought she'd never find someone to spend her life with.

Taking out a pack of cigarettes she'd confiscated earlier, she didn't even think twice before taking out a box of matches and lighting one. With the fag between her lips, she took a long drag before exhaling; a bubble of smoke surrounding her.

'If I'm going to be alone, might as well try something new' she rolled her eyes, taking another drag.

A few stray tears slipped from her eyes, momentarily blurring her vision, as she realised how alone she was in this world. More tears began to fall, her soft whimpering cutting the cold air. Before she knew it, she was looking off the edge of the Astronomy Tower, and the darkness below. All of her failures and screw-ups replayed in her mind. Every bad grade, every failed lover, every bad memory she had; resurfaced, tipping her over the edge.

"Stop!"

Eyes clouded with emotion, she lumped down against the rallying, cigarette still smouldering as she cried her heart out, completely breaking down.

This went on for what seemed like hours until she felt strong arms lift her from the ground and encase her in a warm hug. Looking up, she nearly died when she realised who it was.

Albus Dumbledore.

Her mind was running at ninety, embarrassed that he's seen her at her lowest. Minerva McGonagall never showed her emotions and didn't know how to cope with others seeing her as weak.

'What are you doing to yourself Minerva'

~>~>~>~>~

Walking back to Albus's chambers, the pair walked in comfortable silence, Minerva still shaking slightly, but this melted away under Albus's touch. Reaching the Grand Staircase, Minerva finally spoke,

"Albus," she began quietly.

"Yes, my dear?"

"I was wondering, would it be alright if I - I mean - well, you see -"

Minerva was trying to ask him if she could confide in him, but no words could form. The prospect of finally revealing her feelings, the stress of the Chamber being reopened, and some rather unpleasant events that had occurred that day made her uncharacteristically nervous.

When she broke off suddenly, Albus turned his sparkling blue eyes to hers. He was startled to see that her shoulders were shaking uncontrollably once again, her face streaked with glistening tears, making her cheeks shimmer in the scattered moonlight that leaked through the overhead windows. Minerva didn't know why she was crying. True, she was very nervous, under an immense load of stress, and suffering from a lack of sleep, but she didn't think that warranted another emotional breakdown.

She was furious with herself for acting like such a fool, especially in front of Albus, and quickly tried to muffle her sobs. However, Minerva found, to her dismay, that the more she tried to stifle her sobbing and scurry away, the heavier it became.

Albus stepped out in front of her, blocking her path, and grabbed her shoulders. She couldn't bring herself to look up into those amazingly beautiful blue eyes.

"Minerva, my dear, whatever is the matter?" he asked, searching her face for the source of her anguish.

"Oh, Albus! I've been so worried lately - about Harry and Tom returning, and teaching, -" she broke off again. She and Albus had been best friends for over half a century, but in their many conversations about various issues, she had always tried to avoid talking about her feelings.

Albus, being as insightful, yet sensitive, as ever, had noticed her wariness about the subject and respected her privacy by never pressing the issue. Over the years, Albus had found out that Minerva McGonagall was more of a "suffer in silence" type, bottling up everything until it eventually overflows.

Feeling hurt, lost, confused, and guilty, Minerva knew that it would be only a matter of seconds before she began to cry.

"Oh Minerva, it's alright," Albus offered kindly as he pulled Minerva into his strong embrace.

"Albus, I just don't know what to feel or think at all right now. I'm so confused-" When Minerva broke off, Albus pulled back from her and looked worriedly at her. But she didn't notice.

The Transfiguration professor must have had a faraway expression on her face after her realization, because Albus, still staring intently and worriedly at his friend, asked cautiously,

"Minerva? Minerva, my dear, are you alright?"

Minerva looked up slowly into those sparkling blue eyes and held their gaze for a moment before answering. After a while, she quietly whispered, "Yes, Albus. Yes, I think I am alright."

"Are you quite sure? Is there anything I can do?" Albus was sure he knew what was going on in Minerva's head.

"How about a cup of tea and a nice hot bath" he suggested.

"That sounds wonderful," Minerva said with a small smile, sniffling and wiping away her tears.

With a bow, Albus offered his arm to her. She took it and they set off down the corridor together.

~>~>~>~>~

The friends continued in the same companionable silence they had enjoyed before Minerva's episode. She felt so much better now, Albus having that calming effect on her.

She waited in Albus' study, tea in hand as he ran her a bath.

She decided then and there to stop taking things, people, and life in general, for granted. She was going to start living life to the fullest and without any regrets.

What if Voldemort was waiting in her office that very moment to kill her the second she walked in the door? What if he was waiting for Albus and the headmaster died before Minerva ever had a chance to tell him how she felt? Only now did she realise how much he meant to her, and how he was the only one who truly cared for her wellbeing.

"Minerva, dear, are you alright?"

Minerva realized that she must have had an odd expression on her face, Albus emerging from the bathroom.

"Yes, I'm quite alright." She responded, blinking and bringing her mind back to the present.

"Good, now why don't you go in and have a nice long soak, release any stress," Albus said with a dazzling smile.

"Thank you again." She went into the bathroom, stripping down and hopped into the bath.

Returning to her previous thought, a smile crept onto her face, realising how lucky she was to have such a kind and loving friend. Coming out, she transfigured her heavy clothing into a light dressing gown and robe, heading back into the study.

~>~>~>~>~

"Now Minerva, I know that look on your face all too well. You feel bad for complaining about something you think now to be insignificant," He took her hands in his, as they lounged on his leather settee. She gazed up into his beautiful blue eyes." Let me assure you of the contrary."

"Oh, Albus," she said, barely stifling a sob. And once again, Albus was holding and soothing Minerva as she let go of her pent-up emotions in the form of heavy tears.

After a few moments, Minerva pulled away, wiped the tears from her face and looked once more into Albus' eyes. "Albus, I need to tell you something.

Albus looked at the Transfiguration professor. They had just shared their darkest secrets with each other. What could Minerva have to say now that could be as important as what they had just discussed? Something about the look in her eye, a mixture of apprehension and resolution, as though she were steeling herself up to say whatever it was, convinced Albus that this was what Minerva had really wanted to discuss; the subject she had been attempting to bring up when she had had her emotional breakdown.

Whatever it was had clearly caused her enough stress to send her over the edge, and Albus was torn. Half of him wanted to stop her from continuing, so as to spare her from the additional stress. The other half, however, was extremely curious and wanted very much to know what it was.

Minerva was biting her lip and looking anywhere but at Albus. The old headmaster wondered why she was suddenly so nervous. He hoped his suspicion was correct. He suddenly felt a strong desire to discover what Minerva had been trying to tell him before she had accidentally let slip about her sister's owl. Albus had known that Minerva had not intended to tell him about her sister, but he was glad she had. He was also glad that he had shared with her a bit of his own childhood. He knew that these revelations had only brought them closer than ever.

Minerva didn't know where to begin. She knew that she had to tell Albus how she felt, or her heart would absolutely explode. She looked up into his sparkling blue eyes and, for the first time, thought about what would happen if he said he shared her feelings. How wonderful it would be!

They would finally get to be together, but they would have quite a job hiding it from the students...Minerva let out a small chuckle at the thought of the looks on the children's faces if they discovered that she and the Headmaster were courting.

" Minerva, pardon my asking, but you know how marvellous a time I have whenever I find an excuse to randomly burst into laughter, so if you'd like to share yours, I'd be more than delighted."

The playful look he gave her made Minerva's heart swell and she laughed even harder. She couldn't contain herself anymore; she would have to tell him, and it would have to be now.

Albus didn't know what Minerva was chuckling at, nor did he really care. All he could think about was how beautiful she was when she laughed. He hoped she would not take his sarcastic comment the wrong way. Minerva was known for having a rather dry sense of humour – the kind of person who can make a good joke, but not take one. When Minerva laughed even harder, he sighed inwardly with relief.

Albus laughed with her for a moment, but his laughter died down quickly. She was not watching him and therefore could not see him staring adoringly at her, transfixed by her beauty. Slowly, Minerva realized that Albus was no longer laughing with her. Her laughter faltered and she suddenly looked rather confused and slightly discomfited to see the Headmaster watching her.

What was that look in Albus' eyes? Surely it couldn't be. Minerva shook herself inwardly, trying not to let her hopes rise too high. She was suddenly very nervous again. The results all seemed to be wonderful in theory, but the actual execution was proving to be far more difficult than she had hoped, though quite like she had imagined it would be.

" Albus dear?" she asked. "Is something the matter?"

"Nothing, whatsoever." He replied. "Everything is...beautiful."