Title: Rumours, indeed.

Summary: Minerva is not amused by the school's latest rumours. Not at all.

A/N: So, this is my first take on HP-fanfiction ever and as well my first time writing in English. As I'm not a native speaker, advice is badly needed and comments are highly appreciated.

Update: I felt the need to go over this and did not only change the title [turns out, "Rumour has it" is a very popular song among FFN-Members] but also rewrote certain passages. Minerva is still slightly OOC, I'm afraid.

Disclaimer: I am quite the opposite of J.K. Rowling, really.

Glancing at the antique grandfather clock in her quarters, Minerva put down her quill and decided she was done with marking for today. She refilled her tea cup once more and leaned back, letting her gaze carry out of the window. The weather was dreadful today, even by Scottish standards. However, she was not surprised at all, when she noticed a few scarlet red dressed figures hovering above the quidditch pitch. Frowning, she left her quarters and hurried outside the castle.

"Potter! Weasley! Do I really have to remind you of curfew?", Professor Minerva McGonagall asked not without a hint of annoyance in her voice, even though she was proud of the latest improvements of her house's quidditch team. "But, Professor, we were just practicing for the upcoming match against Ravenclaw, you know...", came the sheepish reply. "I appreciate that, Potter, I really do, but I won't have any of you lose any more house points for breaking the laws this term. And also, none of you is going to help your team if you have to stay in bed due to a cold, right? So hurry up. Madam Hooch should have told you the very same thing", she added, surveying the pitch. „Mind telling me where she is? Shouldn't she be supervising your training?"

Harry shrugged, „Ro- errm, Madam Hooch left about half an hour ago, I think. Said something about an appointment with the headmaster. Would that have something to do with those rumours? You know, with her leaving school by the end of term and so on? Because, well, that would suck. I mean, who will be refereeing the matches then? Please, don't tell me it is Snape!" Minervas slight amusement at Potter's rambled speech – trust Rolanda to make her students call her by her first name – was immediately transfigured into a rather sceptical frown. "Well, I haven't heard anything about her leaving Hogwarts and as I am Deputy Headmistress, I'm sure such news wouldn't have passed without me knowing. After all, I gather it is just that: a rumour -"

"Right", Ronald Weasley interrupted her grinning sheepishly, "Maybe there's more to it than that. I mean, Hooch actually has had lots of 'appointments' with good ol' Dumbledore lately, hasn't she, Harry?!" Breathing in sharply, Minerva managed to shoot her students one of her infamous glares and added "Oh, don't be ridiculous, Weasley. And now, both of you better get back to your common room, you know I don't mind taking points off my own house". Realizing there were no further warnings required, she herself turned on her heels and headed back towards the castle.

It was not until much later when she found herself in the corridor that led to the Headmaster's office. All the way up there she had been wondering about the things her pupils had just told her. Ridiculous rumours, nothing more, right? Rolanda would have told her if she intended to leave, after all she was her best friend. And Weasley accusing her having an affair with Albus - heavens, if that lad used his energy in classes instead of making up gossip, perhaps he might finally…

An opening door called for her attention. Not exactly knowing why, she suddenly felt the need to hide behind a statue. "What am I doing? Behaving like a first year, sneaking round corners, eavesdropping on other people's conversations", she scolded herself. Nevertheless, she could not help to have a look around the corner. The boys had been right, there was Rolanda, standing right in front of Albus' office. Minerva noticed that Ro hat obviously taken some time to change her apparel before paying Albus a visit. Judging by her appearance, this had to be some kind of special occasion, Rolanda looked absolutely stunning in her scarlet silk robes. Maybe Ronald wasn't mistaken after all... Minerva shook her head in annoyance. This was utterly ridiculous, she'd better be leaving. However, she stayed, berating herself for her inappropriate nosiness. Sneaking just a tiny step - or five - towards the two colleagues, she was finally able to pick up bits of their conversation.

"You better take your broom with you next time, Rolanda, so you can leave through the window. People talk, you know", the headmaster said, a hint of amusement audible in his voice. Rolanda chuckled, "you know, I would have, if it weren't for the poor weather conditions, Albus. But I better hurry up now, before we get caught. Thank you for the delightful evening and... everything", her grin broadened. „Oh, anytime, dear. But now I have to bid you good night. I guess we both could use a good snatch of sleep". "Indeed, Headmaster Dumbledore. Sweet dreams". With a last wink, Rolanda turned around and headed off to her quarters.

Minerva was positively bewildered by the scene she had just overheard. Could this really...? No, she would have noticed. Would she? Her mind skipped as all sorts of emotions welled up inside her stomach. No, this was not happening. She needed to pull herself together. She needed to...

Mere seconds later, Rolanda felt a firm grasp on her shoulder, turning her around and pinning her against the corridor's cold stone wall. "What the... Minerva?! What on earth are you doing here?". "Guess what, I just wanted to ask you the same", the taller woman hissed. Not the best moment to revert to feline habits, though. Rolanda merely arched an eyebrow. "Care to explain? And would you please be so kind to release me? That's my bad shoulder, you!" This was not funny. Not at all.

Minerva felt a slight blush creeping up her cheeks. She did not mean to be so rough. Still struggling to regain composure, she immediately let go of Rolanda, who thanked her in her very own way. A glare, pursed lips, arms crossed, her left foot tapping impatiently. And students thought Minerva to be the intimidating one…

After what felt like an eternity to both of them, Minerva finally managed to express her thoughts. "I have seen you. Leaving Albus' chambers, I mean. And I… happened to hear your little conversation. Ro, what's going on between the two of you? And why didn't you – I mean, I thought we were...", she stopped when she was interrupted by an amused giggle, which quickly evolved into genuine laughter. "Min, well I never! Did you really think...? I and Albus! Merlin, he's my friend! We did spend a nice afternoon together, yes, he gave me some advice on... personal issues, you see? But wait, are you jealous?" Rolanda gave her friend a scrutinizing look. "Oh, poor darling Min. You do have a thing for him, don't you?" - "What? No! Ro, listen, I actu-", Minerva tried to interject, but Rolanda cut her off again. "Min, it's Albus we're talking about. He's as gay as they get, you must have known that!"

"Rolanda Xiomara Hoch! Will you just stop babbling and start listening?! This is not about Albus. Not at all." Before Rolanda could process what Minerva hat just revealed to her, she found herself pushed against the wall once again, as thin lips fiercely met her own. When they finally parted, both panting for air, Rolanda smirked. "Not at all, I see."

…

The very next morning in the Great Hall: Harry and Ron were indulging in their breakfast, when suddenly a tiny origamy owl landed on the Gryffindor Table right in front of them. As Harry picked it up, it unfolded itself revealing a short note:

Well done, boys.

A.D.