Hi everyone! I have proudly read the 1.8k romance stories about Professor Minerva McGonagall and Headmaster Albus Dumbledore (spurred on by my eight year old, second grade brother reading the entire series in two months). I'm not quite sure where I'm going with this story, so it's a surprise to all of us :).

Minding Minerva

The castle always seemed rather sad over the summer. Perhaps it was because the students had gone for the time being, or because Minerva had nothing to do. No papers to grade, not lessons to plan, no Slytherins to punish. Or maybe it was because there was no Albus to talk to. Sure she saw him during meals, but there chess games slowed to a minim over the summer. He always had plans with a new girlfriend, or with the ministry. Both of which Minerva hated.

There was nothing like having a cup of tea and sharing the days adventures with each other.

Minerva pushed the thoughts aside and swung her legs gently. The wooden swing by the lake swung with her movements gently in the wind. The warm summer air blew her raven black hair from her face.

She was free.

Minerva always loved the little swing, as old and rotted as it was, it had saved her mentality multiple times. She was good student, always doing the work and exceeding requirements. But being a nerd never gave her many friends. The swing though, was her friend. It listened as she talked, it was solid when she needed a rock, and it never complained when she screamed. Humans didn't do that. Every since her years at Hogwarts, this was Minerva's spot.

As she shifted from student to Professor over the years, it stayed her spot. And one day, she hoped for it to be someone else's spot too. There where more advantages of her spot now that she was a Professor and had no need to rush to classes. She had to sneak out at night to just get a glance at the lake and moon on her swing. Now, when she had a free period she would bring out a clump of essays and sit to grade them. The secluded swing was a good hide away.

As the warm summer air cooled, and the sunset behind the trees, Minerva had to leave.

She gathered her Muggle summer dress and walked the winding path to the castle lazily. There was no rush, because there was no chess game. That night's match had been asked to be put off till tomorrow. But deep down, Minerva knew the match would never happen. It would be put off another night, then another, followed by an apology letter and another put off. Obviously, Minerva hated Albus's girlfriends.

She used to be the one to appear at the ministry meetings with him and suddenly, he realized life was meaningless without a woman. Many claimed to love him, and each time, Albus thought he had found 'The One,' but they all lied. And Minerva was always there to comfort him. If only Albus had looked not around the world, but within the castle walls for someone who truly loved him.

Minerva hugged herself tightly against the cool wind and continued to walk. Although Minerva didn't like many Muggle outfits, this summer dress was one of the few that she had bought. Her heavy teaching robes were not meant for summer weather. Sighing sadly,Minerva made her way to her private chambers and prepared for the night alone.

xXx

Albus, much like Minerva, had a getaway spot of his own that had saved his mentality on numerous occasions. The astronomy tower early in the morning or late at night was his go to spot for peace and quite. Watching the moon and stars was always his preferred setting, but sunrises in summer where his reason for living. Girlfriend after girlfriend had accompanied him in the wee hours of morning and the ungodly hours of night, but none of them had been the one he wished to replace. Minerva would never be intellectually the same or as beautiful as anyone Albus met. He'd been around the world looking for the one to fill his thoughts, sure it had worked for a couple days, but they always feel back to Minerva. He was an old fool of love, and he knew it. Countless times his hopes had been risen, only to be knocked down by lies and scams. Worst of all, he always fell for it.

Albus gripped the railing tighter and stared up at the stars. Years ago, when Minerva was still Ms. McGonagall to him, he had found a star that he named after her. He could rest easy knowing she would always be in his sight, but never his reach. Sadly, Albus thought back to a girlfriend who had commented on this revelation nastily.

She had told him, "When you wish upon a star, you're a couple billion years late, and like your dreams, the star is dead."

His dream of loving Minerva were as dead as the stars themselves. But they were still a pretty sight to see.

He watched the beautiful child grow and blossom into a woman with even more beauty. She had always silently sat by herself, never interacting or partaking in friends or shenanigans. She was a great student, one he looked forward to having in class, and she always humbly knew the answers. Men had pursued her, but Minerva turned all them down, focusing mainly on coursework. With a sigh, Albus dismissed his dream and sadness filled his eyes.

No one would replace Minerva, he admitted to himself one night. But that doesn't mean I can't love the woman herself.

With a worried scratch to his forehead, Albus walked back to his private chambers. After he was ready for the night, he blew a kiss to the star he loved and fell into a deep slumber.

xXx

Morning came and went for both Professors. Aimlessly, the two filled their days with small projects and conversations with the other Professors at Hogwarts.

If only they could find each other.

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