Minerva took a sigh of relief as the young waiter was called away, though the wine remained in the grasp of Albus who continued to exam it as if he was some wine expert.
"Minerva..." Rolanda smirks "I think someone is quite taken with you."
"Yes he was rather smitten with you dear." Albus agrees turning his attention to Minerva briefly.
"Don't be ridiculous, he's just doing his job."
"His job is to wait on people and cater to their foodie needs, not stand around listening to you and trying to obviously woe you with this fancy smancy wine." Rolanda took the wine from Albus and held it up to emphasise her point.
Minerva received a few comments and teasing looks from her colleagues, Bellatrix however remained painfully silent and continued to stare at the table.
"Yes well even if that is the case, which it's not. I have absolutely no interest in him, nor do I have interest in this conversation topic, so let's just drop it." Minerva said, hoping that was the end of it.

The rest of the night continued and thankfully that was the end of that particular conversation, everyone drank the wine apart from Bellatrix who for the first time that night refused an actual alcoholic drink much to everyone's surprise. Though she did later on order another whisky which then put everyone back at ease. Conversations flowed and the night turned out rather well, and as far as Minerva knew everyone enjoyed. Particularly Albus who certainly had more than one glass of wine, despite sharing his earlier distaste for it.
The dark witch still remained rather silent compared to her normal self, and Minerva was slightly concerned that the conversation that took place much earlier had upset her.
Minerva's hand found it's way to Bella's thigh and gave it a squeeze, hoping this would get a response from the witch, and thankfully it did. Bella's hand soon took hold of Minerva's and squeezed it lightly before entwining their fingers together. A smile graced Minerva's lips as she turned to Dumbledore to scold him for something stupid he probably suggested while she wasn't actually listening, but judging by Poppy's face it was indeed something stupid.

The night drew to an end and the group of Hogwarts professors were making their leave, Severus helped a highly drunk Dumbledore to his feet as he merrily began telling him a story of his child hood much to Severus' displeasure, poppy however found it quite amusing, the eye roll Severus gave to the old man earned a little giggle from Poppy which in turn brought a slight smile to Severus' lips.
"Do you see what I see." Bella whispers, leaning into Minerva.
"I do believe so yes." Minerva whispers back, slowly turning her attention to Bella who was incredibly close. Minerva's stomach began doing somersaults at the closeness, they hadn't been this close all night and Minerva hadn't realised how much she missed Bella's close presence, despite sitting next to throughout the entire ordeal.
"Hi" Minerva whispers, a smile gracing her lips as she meets Bella's eyes.
"Hi." Bella responds, for the first time that night a genuine smile lit up her face.
"We should really be heading home." Minerva whispers, noting everyone else rising from their seats and gathering their belongings.
"I couldn't agree more." Bellatrix winked before rising from her seat, offering her hand to Minerva.
"Oh don't look now but a certain hunky waiter is heading our way." Rolanda nods in that direction as she helps Pomana up out of her seat.

Minerva glanced at the woman beside her to see the normally warm gooey chocolate eyes filled with hatred and annoyance. Minerva knew now why the woman was so quite all night, it was indeed to do with that man who marched in her direction.
"I trust you had a pleasant time." He smiles addressing everyone, the herd of professors vocalise their enjoyment, Dumbledore giving the young man a slurred speech on how delightful the lemon drizzle cake was.
Bellatrix however grew rigid by the second, especially when the man had the audacity to lay his hand on the small of Minerva's back.
"And I hope you had a wonderful time too." He gave Minerva a dazzling smile showing off his ridiculously white teeth.
"I did thank you." Minerva smiles politely though she took a step away from the waiter and his touch, and a step closer to Bellatrix.
"Glad to here it." He continued to smile at her, and Minerva felt slightly uncomfortable by the intensity of his gaze.
"Right well we'd best get a move on, Severus are you fine with Albus or do you need some help?" Minerva smiles nodding politely to the waiter before moving towards Severus.
Bellatrix smirks as she follows the woman.
"Come on you old codger." Bellatrix took some of Albus' wait off of Severus, and the ancient man placed his arm around her shoulder.
"Ahhhh Bellatrix dear, have I ever told you about the time..." Albus began another one of his irrelevant stories, and Minerva couldn't hide her smile as Bellatrix pretended to care, though gave Severus a knowing look.

Pomona held the doors open as Bellatrix and Severus made their way through them with a rambling Dumbledore, the rest of the professors in tow. Minerva double checked they hadn't left anything behind before following along, however a hand to her wrist altered her path. The woman turned around to see the waiter, he'd waited until she'd left the restaurant and made it to the passage way that then exited onto the street. The large doors had closed both ends, and the candle light chandelier flickered. They were alone.
"I have to say, you really caught my eye, I think you're wonderful." He took a step closer and began caressing the hand he still held with his thumb. Minerva swallows, finding herself growing taller as she tried to pull her hand away but he was reluctant to let her go.
"Thank you, now I really must be going."
"I want to see you again." His grip was surprisingly strong much to Minerva's dislike.
"Well I'm afraid that won't be happening, now please unhand me." She frowned but the man only smiled.
"Don't say that, I really would like to get to know you better."  He tugged her forward and Minerva's eyes widen in horror.
If this man didn't leave her go she'd have to resort to violence and she wasn't a huge fan of causing physical harm, she'd much rather tear them apart with words. Bellatrix on the other hand was very much up for both.
"Here's something to remember me by, I have absolutely no interest in you, nor will I ever have interest in slimy little toads now leave me go!" Minerva's voice was threatening and the man flinched slightly but he didn't back down.
"Or what?" The cocky little bastard Minerva thought, she was about to grab her wand having had enough of this and too many drinks to be completely on ball with her snarky responses. The front doors however burst open and there she stood in all her fury.
"Get your grubby little hands off of Minerva." She said through gritted teeth. Ice cold air suddenly filled the room and Minerva felt chills as the woman grew closer.
"Now look, we were only chatting-"
"Did I say you could speak?" She growled and Minerva had butterflies in her stomach. The man stuttered as the woman towered over him, he left Minerva's hand go. Minerva couldn't hide her little smirk as Bellatrix whispered something to him resulting in him fleeing back into the restaurant.
Bellattix turned to Minerva.
"Did that scrawny bastard hurt you!" Before Minerva had chance to reply Bella had her hand and began examining it.
"No I'm fine." Minerva smiles
"He's lucky, so very very lucky..." Bella said darkly as she glanced back towards the door he fleeted from.
"Yes well come on, it's over now we'd best get back to the rest." Minerva tugged at Bella's arm hoping to avert her attention before she riled herself up and burst back into the restaurant after his blood.
"They'll be wondering where we got to." She tugged a silent Bellatrix back to the group.
"Oh there they are, looks like you found her then Bellatrix." Rolanda points out, and the group's attention diverted to the pair.
"I was just checking we hadn't left anything, there was no need to send an army in after me."
"We didn't, just Bellatrix." Pomona said,
"Bellatrix is all the army we need, have you seen her?" Rolanda came beside the taller witch.
"She's like a bloody assassin." She taps Bellatrix on the back, and Minerva was on pins, the woman wasn't in a great mood as it is.
"Only when need be, now let's get the old man of the mountain here home before he collapses." Bella responds playfully much to Minerva's and everyone else's surprise.
"Was that really a reference to a children's muggle cartoon?" Minerva muses
"I blame your nieces, bloody obsessed with that woman and the big head, made me watch them all."
"You could of just said no and left them to it."
"Then they'd be upset, and I'm not a monster Minerva, honestly." Bellatrix rolls her eyes before moving to help Severus with Dumbledore.
Minerva wasn't entirely sure how or why, but something in that moment, might of been Bella's response to her words, or the image of Bellatrix sitting on the floor to watch a muggle cartoon because her nieces asked her to made Minerva's heart yearn for her even more, and for the first time since starting this...whatever relationship it was between them, she imagined Bellatrix with children, but their children and she knew they would be spoiled absolutely rotten. A smile formed on Minerva's face as heat rushed to her cheeks, it wasn't much of a secret that Minerva would have liked to have children, but she never dwelled on it, there was never any point, despite wanting children she never imagined herself with any, she'd never really been intimate with anyone before.

"Minerva, are you coming?" The voice of the woman snapped Minerva from her thoughts and the witch was thankful it was dark outside so no one could see her blushing cheeks.
Minerva quickened her pace to catch up with the group, coming to walk beside Bella who listened to Albus ramble on as she helped Severus support him. Minerva smiled, glancing around at her friends as they were deep in conversation with their selected pairs or trios.
She silently, much to Bellatrix's surprise reached for her hand amongst her cloak and entwined their fingers. The dark witch glanced down at their hidden hands then at the woman herself who simply smiled and continued to look straight ahead.

Yes Minerva was quite happy with how her life had turned out so far.

And here we have it my friends, the final ending. Thank you all ever so much for reading, voting and commenting it means so much. I wish you all the best and health!