Disclaimer: All Harry Potter related characters, events, etc. are not my property, but rather the magnificent J K Rowling's. I can only "wish" that I owned them.

Chapter 1: Loving You through the Years

The night was frosty with a chill bite in the air. Snow crunched underfoot as Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall wound their way back to the castle. The last lingering chords of the haunting, Yule Ball music laced through the air. Albus stopped and looked into Minerva's face. The pale moonlight fell across her face; her eyes sparkled up at him with an enchanting emerald hue.

"Minerva…" Albus smiled gently down at her, caressing her cheek with his long, slender fingers. "Minerva, it's been a wonderful evening, hasn't it?"

"Yes, Albus. I'll cherish it always." Minerva gave Albus a dazzling smile, and Albus felt his breath come a little short. A few snowflakes landed softly in Minerva's raven-colored hair. Albus brushed them off and placed his hands over her pale ones. Her skin was soft, yet cold. As he pressed his lips to her knuckles, he locked his bright blue gaze to her face and felt their years together melt back in time.

The year was 1936. Albus Dumbledore craned his neck to look at the trembling first years to be sorted. Headmaster Armando Dippet was smiling benignly at the long line of witches and wizards, thinking of all the new students that would grace Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Suddenly, Professor Dippet felt a jab in his ribs. Albus silently inclined his head in the direction of a first year witch with cascading raven colored hair and startlingly emerald colored eyes.

"Who's that, Headmaster?" Dumbledore inquired.

Professor Dippet glanced over in that direction and murmured quietly:

"Ah, yes, that's Miss Minerva McGonagall, Albus. Her mother was the most talented student in Transfiguration. I hear her daughter is, if possible, even better."

Albus nodded and held his breath as Minerva was Sorted. The Sorting Hat paused (Dumbledore could almost hear its voice debating Ravenclaw or Gryffindor) before bellowing

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Albus clapped with all the others as Minerva McGonagall handed back the Sorting Hat to Professor Merrythought and glided to the solid mass of scarlet and gold-clad Gryffindor table. Just before she sat down, Albus saw her bright green eyes seek his, and he gave her a tiny smile of congratulations. She nodded her head slightly and gave a fleeting smile that lit up her eyes.

Chapter 2: A Transforming Beauty

The elder Dumbledore in the present time distinctly heard Minerva's soft, lilting voice, but his memories overflowed through his mind and enveloped him in a silvery mist.

The bell rang and the Transfiguration classroom bustled noisily as a crowd of fourth year Gryffindor and Slytherin students swarmed for the door. Professor Albus Dumbledore sat at his desk, gathering the scrolls of essays that were to be graded later today. At last, utter silence reigned in the empty classroom. Suddenly, a slight rustle of robes told Albus that he was not quite alone. Looking up, he saw the delicate profile of Minerva McGonagall.

"Why, Miss McGonagall! Was there something you wanted to ask me?"

"Yes, Professor. I wanted to ask you if you would help me with something. I want to become an Animagus, sir."

Albus Dumbledore surveyed Minerva over the tops of his spectacles. A tentative smile gently turned the edges of her mouth upwards as Albus' eyes twinkled.

"Certainly, I would do anything I could to assist you in this..erm…rather advanced procedure.

"Thank you, Professor. When may we start?"

"Tonight, if you like."

"Thank you."

"You're very welcome…Minerva."

Albus watched his top student gather her books and straighten up, tucking her books neatly into her bag. He fixed his piercing gaze on her retreating back. In his heart, he felt the first stirrings of love.

The scene faded as Minerva gracefully glided to the door.

Chapter 3: Headmaster and Transfiguration Professor

"Come in," said Albus in a clear, carrying voice. The heavy oaken door swung inward to reveal a strikingly beautiful young woman.

"Ah, Minerva. You look as lovely as always. You received my note, I trust?"

"Yes, Albus, thanks very much."

Albus smiled. "The post of Transfiguration is now currently empty since I have become Headmaster. If you wish to take it, I would be very happy to have someone as talented as you as my colleague."

Minerva was completely expressionless for a moment. Then her eyes lit up and a smile spread across her face.

"Albus, you know this means a lot to me. I…I don't know how to… Of course, I'd love to teach; it's always been my dream. I…just hope the students wouldn't mind me being so…"

"Young?" Dumbledore suggested delicately.

Minerva blushed and stammered,

"Well, yes, and…the fact that I just graduated from Hogwarts three years ago, myself. I…"

"My dear Minerva, it wouldn't matter to them. They will look up to you, I promise. Well, then. I shall then expect you when term starts?"

"Of course. Thank you, Albus.

Chapter 4: Our Love Shall Carry Us Forever

There was a rush of air and the feeling of being brought back to reality when Albus Dumbledore felt himself revert back to the present. Minerva was looking at him with concern, her delicate brows knitted together and her bright green eyes inquisitive.

"Albus? Are you feeling well? Perhaps we should go inside now. It is a bit chilly."

Albus looked back at her and the strange hypnotic glaze in his eyes vanished.

"Yes, dear Minerva. But just a moment. Let's sit down, shall we? I…I want to tell you something."

They sat down on a stone bench where no one had ever ventured to before. Minerva's eyes searched Albus' curiously; begging him silently to tell her what was troubling him.

"Minerva, I…I love you. I've tried to tell you this on countless occasions, but I've never been able to. Tonight, when I took you out to the dance floor, I saw your beautiful smile, and everything I wanted to say shattered. Please…I…"

Inwardly, Albus cursed himself for botching his attempt to tell her of his love. He dropped his gaze from her intense emerald green eyes, feeling as wrong-footed as a shy boy. His face burned although the night was bitingly cold.

Minerva gently placed a slender finger to his lips. "Oh, Albus," she whispered. "I think of all the years that I've tried telling you about my feelings. I never dreamed that you'd care for me too. I always thought that you only cared for me as a student, and not as…Albus, I've loved you ever since I first set eyes on you when I was Sorted. I've always loved you, and I always will."

Albus gently wiped Minerva's tears from her cheeks and brought his lips to hers. They shared their first kiss under the mistletoe as the last snow flurries fell to the ground.

Okay, this is the end of my first fanfiction. Please read and review. Should I continue? Thanks for reading!