She had always been on her own. She was the loved tomboy of Gryffindor. She didn't need a guy by her side… and yet… Minerva pursed her lips and focused in on the game, taking her thoughts off of the charming Transfiguration professor.
"Minerva! On the right!" Derec called, gesturing to the incoming Slytherin.
"Pass me your bat!" She called back. A wave of confusion washed over Derec's face as he complied. Minerva sent a wicked grin at Riddle, the approaching Slytherin, and raised the bat. His eyes narrowed as she sent the Bludger that was coming at her more in his direction. It hit his arm with a small crunch, and he glared at her as he tapped his arm with his wand, wrapping it in a tight wrap. She grinned smugly at him as she tossed the bat back to Derec, who was barely withholding a laugh.
"Nice shot, Minerva!" he called, then swooped over to Zane, who was weaving through the Slytherin team. Minerva allowed herself another smile, then went back to looking for the Snitch. And there it was! Fluttering near the teachers box, about a meter to the right of Professor Dumbledore. It seemed to be trying to make her life hard. She sighed, then darted after it. Uncharacteristically, it stayed where it was while she was heading towards it, picking up speed as Riddle marked her closely. She was so close to it… no! Why did it have to move onto his hat!
"Sorry Professor!" She called as she grabbed the Snitch, narrowly avoiding grabbing his head. At the same time, Riddle grabbed the tail of her broom, catapulting her off of it, right into the teachers. She hit her head off of someone's elbow, and vaguely registered someone screaming at Riddle as she faded into blackness, her hand still gripped around the Snitch.
She shook her head moments later, and opened her eyes to see Albus Dumbledore's face hovering inches above hers.
"Hello, sir!" She ginned goofily. "How're you today? I'm doing great. Have you got one of those lemon drops?"
He chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "I'm very well, glad to see you so happy. Unfortunately, you seem to be sitting on my lemon drops."
"Sir?" She said politely.
"You're sitting on my lemon drops." His eyes twinkled more than ever. It was a few seconds after this that Minerva realized that she was not sitting on wood, but rather a person- their lap, specifically. She gave a small scream and sprang up, blushing furiously and stammering out apologies.
"Quite all right, my dear." He stood up, brushing off his bright red robes.
"Why didn't you do anything?" Tiffany squealed later. "You were sitting on his lap!"
"There were teachers there!"
"So?"
Minerva rolled her eyes at her friend, who was sitting on her bedside in the Hospital Wing (they wanted to keep her there for the night). "It doesn't matter. I'm fine being on my own. I don't need a man to help me!"
"Alright, Little Miss Independent!" Tiffany winked at Minerva, who groaned.
"Okay, I'm gone. Just remember… you could've kissed him." Tiffany sent Minerva a little wave and sashayed out of the Hospital Wing.
Thirty years later, Minerva McGonagall stared at her employer and friend, her mouth twisted in a wry smile. She should've kissed him all those years ago. Why? Because now, she was warring with her emotions, and she could legally drink with him now. Damn those laws. She sighed as he took time choosing what piece to move next. He looked up, smiling benignly at her.
"Anything the matter, my dear?" He asked.
"Albus," she hesitated. "Are you… you know," she paused again.
"Homosexual?" He chuckled. She blushed, nodding. "Yes, I am. Is that a problem?"
"No, I have nothing against homosexuals." Minerva smiled at him as her hand moved a pawn. "Just about you being one." She thought as her crush got, well, crushed.
