Chaser

WARNING: Femmeslash. Minerva McGonagall/Alicia Spinnet

AN: Er. Yes. I'm sure my pairings are getting worse. I didn't quite expect it to turn out like this… Anyway, you know what to do, I'm sure!

Potter running behind me, desperately trying to catch up, and unaware that a scene almost identical to this one has happened only a year before. Of course, then it was Alicia running after me, and we were going to my office, but she had just made oit on to the Gryffindor Quidditch team herself…
"MISS SPINNET!"

Alicia turned round, the success in her eyes dying faster than an ashwinder.

I smiled at her, thinly, trying to put her at her ease. "Congratulations. Please, follow me."

Poor Alicia looked terrified, running behind me with her broom in one hand and her robes billowing out behind her. "Er… where are we going, Professor?"

I didn't turn around. "My office."

"Oh." Terror there, definitely, but maybe just a trace of… what? It wasn't really there – my imagination was up to its usual tricks, I told myself.

We reached my office, and poor Alicia still looked petrified. I ssat down behind my desk and awkwardly asked her a question I asked very few people. "Tell me… Alicia… what do you think of me… as a teacher?"

Alicia stared at me. This was obviously not what she had been expecting. "Well, you're alright, I suppose… fair, strict, quite good."

I tried not to show my disappointment. "Just quite?"

Alicia looked terribly ashamed of herself. "Oh, no, Professor! You're a brilliant teacher! Honest! I just mean…"

"Yes?"

Alicia had resumed her expression of total terror. "Well, it's kind of awkward…"

I said nothing.

"With you teaching Transfiguration and everything…"

Still nothing.

"I just… oh, Professor!"

Somehow, Alicia had made her way round my desk and wrapped her arms round me in one movement.

I didn't know what to say. Her too! She felt like I did! Transfiguration lessons need never be awkward again!

My body moved of its own accord, and I found myself hugging Alicia back, unwilling ever to let her go.

An eternity later, my senses caught up.

"Miss Spinnet?"

Alicia leapt backwards. "Yes, Professor?"

"I believe you were supposed to have detention with Professor Snape this evening."

"Yes, Professor." She could have played poker with that face, if she knew whatpoker was.

"I shall inform Professor Snape that you will be coming to my office instead."

"Yes, Professor." Straight as a rod.

"That is all. No doubt you and your friend will want to celebrate your success."

A very careful lack of expression.

"With the Quidditch team."

"Yes, Professor." Relief, flitting across.

"Well, I will see you this evening. Bring your wand."

"Yes, Professor."

Alicia left, but she was back that evening, and the next, and the next…

But Potter is following me for a different reason. This evening, he may well be practising Quidditch with Wood, whereas I…

I have Alicia. And if she does not arrive, and is not at Quidditch Practice…

I will chase her.