And the one step and he's sliding

And the two steps and she's gliding

3 and the 1 and the 2

And then they float in the air

By The Way That They Dance

~Jump Little Children

"Minnie! Come inside. It's pouring out there. You'll catch cold!"

"No she won't, Pomona. She's just going to be drenched."

17-year-old Minerva McGonagall ignored her friends Poppy Pomfrey and Pomona Sprout, languishing in the cleansing feel of the rain on her skin. Mentally she could feel it washing away her problems with the men in her life.

"Minerva, my dear, perhaps it is best you come in from the rain as your friends suggest."

She stopped twirling and slowly opened her eyes to gaze at the powerful wizard before her. She stared into his bright blue eyes and was suddenly self-conscious of the long tendrils of raven hair that must look a mess after all the rain.

"Professor Dumbledore, sir," she smiled grandly at him and realized why all the girls had a crush on their Transfiguration professor. "I'm not sure I quite agree. There is something so liberating about being in the rain as it begins coming down."

His eyes twinkled amusedly at her and then he gestured to his open arm. "May I escort a young lady in out of the rain?"

"If I must, I must. Thank you, Professor."

"It is my pleasure. I have ulterior motives of course."

Minerva laughed, a full and happy sound to his ears. "As there always is with us, sir."

"Well, I can't have an almost Animagi missing her lessons because of a simple cold, now can I? Especially as the end of your school career draws close." He raised his eyebrow mockingly stern and released her arm with a soft bow. "Enjoy the rest of your afternoon, Miss McGonagall."

"And you as well. Thank you for the escort, sir." Minerva watched the man leave with an amused smile, then turned to her friends.

"How you do it, I shall never know. Every woman in the Wizarding World after him except you and you are the one who catches his eye." Poppy sighed.

"Oh yes, whatever shall we do with you? Now let's talk about this Tom Riddle. He is a handsome boy."

Minerva shook her head gaily. "Oh dear friends, if I could give you the boys in my life, I would. Too much drama by far; a grown man who makes my heart quicken but is a distinguished professor ("Not that he hasn't taught half the population," Pomona added under her breath), the other a young boy who frightens me with his power and thrills me with his knowledge. Hmm…yes, I'd much rather give them with all their problems to you two. I'm sure you'd both happily sort them out."

The young girls burst out into peals of laughter as they headed for the Gryffindor dormitories to lounge lazily for the rest of the rainy day.

"Knock-knock! Professor Dumbledore?"

"Ah, Minerva!" Albus glanced up from his grading after greeting her. "As I've told you before, it's Albus within these chambers."

She grinned and walked into the room. "One can never be too sure of who is around."

"Valid point, my dear, but I can assure that this time is yours alone." Instead of looking away shyly, as he was used to seeing, Minerva met his steady unnerving gaze with her green eyes sparkling happily. Finally, he glanced away, unused to receiving such an honest stare.

"Do you think we could listen to your record player today?"

Albus glanced back at her to her looking mischievously at him from underneath her lashes. In response, he walked to her side and looked on her face. "Why are you trying to put off our lesson today, Minnie?"

"Must I have an underlying motive, sir?"

"Ah, but you yourself stated there was always an underlying motive with us."

Minerva smiled coyly. "Let's pretend that I'm here for dancing lessons. There's a Graduation Ball coming up…and I don't know how to dance. You wouldn't want your favorite student to look foolish, would you?"

Albus raised his hand marginally and soft Muggle music filled the room. "Of course not. Although I do wonder how such an accomplished young lady managed to never learn to dance."

"Never a proper teacher, I suppose. Now, I step into your arms and place my hands like this, correct?" She placed her left hand lightly on his shoulder and raised her right hand for his. His blue eyes sparkled maddeningly and he enclosed his fingers around her hand gently and pulled them close with his hand at the small of her back, their bodies molding together perfectly. As he led her around the room, she followed with great ease.

"I do believe you've danced before, Miss McGonagall," he whispered softly in her hair.

"Perhaps I'm just a natural, sir," she replied, looking up at him, her eyes filled with admiration. He leaned closer to her, closing the distance between them.

"Ahem."

"Headmaster Dippet," the Transfiguration professor greeted without a flinch, his arms locking Minerva in place to avoid unease, though she made no attempt to move. "I was simply giving Miss McGonagall a dancing lesson before the ball as we are reaching the end of Animagi training."

"Ah, no harm in that." The Headmaster smiled at her tightly. "However, I need to speak with you, so if this could continue another time…"

"Absolutely, Headmaster." Modestly she stepped from her teacher's arms. "Good day, sirs, and thank you for the lesson. I feel much more confident now."

"Always, Miss McGonagall. It's a pleasure to teach such an attentive learner.

Minerva nodded to him then left the room, sensing the door being shut and warded after her. Interesting, she thought to herself; something worthy of telling her friends at least, after she finished her duties and her study session with Tom Riddle.