She Knew
Disclaimer: I don't own HP
Minerva had noticed the way Albus looked at her. She saw an emotion in his sparkling blue eyes that she had never seen in any other man's. She knew he loved her. But, she didn't tell him so. Minerva wanted Albus to tell her when he was ready, and not push him. After all, she was patient enough to wait for the man she loved in return.
She noticed the instances when it seemed he was on the verge of telling her, but had lost his courage at the last moment. Minerva knew that at these times, he was not ready. As she thought about these instances, though, she wondered if she should have given him a little push forward – just a tiny one. Maybe a hint or suggestion would have been appropriate, just to let him know that he had a chance. She finally decided that when the next moment came, she would give him a push forward.
Minerva paid very close attention. Her moment came one evening at the end of a chess game between the two. Albus had moved over to the window, just staring out at the stars before turning around to look at her. She was leaning against a wall with her arms crossed and an eyebrow raised.
"Minerva?" he asked.
"Yes?" She walked over to stand beside him. He turned to look back out the window, and so did she.
"I feel so lonely sometimes," he sighed.
"Why is that?" Minerva asked.
Albus hesitated, and this was when Minerva realized that this was her chance. She waited for him to speak, "I'm in love with a woman."
"You are, are you?" she asked casually. "How could that make you feel lonely?"
Albus sighed in frustration, "She doesn't know how I feel!" Albus longed to tell Minerva he was thinking about her.
"Why are you so sure, Albus?" Minerva asked quietly. She turned to look directly at him, "Maybe she does. Maybe she noticed."
Albus turned to her, wondering if she was implying what he thought she was implying, "Well…I'm not sure."
"I'm sure she knows," Minerva told him.
"Then why didn't she tell me she did?" he asked, searching her face.
"Because she wanted you to tell her when you were ready," Minerva smiled slightly.
"How long have you known?" he asked, reaching out a hand to gently touch her cheek.
"Years," Minerva murmured, leaning forward to kiss him softly and chastely. "Too many years."
Albus was stunned, not only because he had been so obvious, but also because she just kissed him. In an apparent attempt to ensure that he got his message across completely clearly, he said, "Minerva…I love you."
She smiled, taking his hand, "I know." She looked into his eyes, "I love you too."