Chapter Three

Minerva was nearly at the door, when doubts assailed her. How could she possibly ask Albus if he was a dog animagus, and whether he had let her sleep on him that afternoon. Minerva could feel her cheeks flushing bright red at the mere idea of his soft chuckle, and mischieviously twinkling eyes. He would tease her for weeks, months even, and the idea was quite ridiculous, ludicrous even, of course it hadn't been Albus!

Minerva turned away from the door, and with her lips set in determination, made her way back to her chair. Once seated she did her best to focus on her book, to forget all about floppy eared dogs, and annoying wizards with brightly twinkling eyes. And yet the notion that it had indeed been Albus wouldn't leave her alone.

A few minutes later Minerva's book had been flung across the room, and unable to sit still she had risen from her chair to stride furiously back and forth across her chambers. She was thouroughly exasperated with herself for letting such a foolish notion bother her. Of course it had not been Albus. 'It was just the type of thing he would do though...' Minerva frowned disapprovingly, 'childish, foolish ... incredibly sweet and caring ...' Minerva stopped dead in her tracks. Where had that thought come from?

'Albus was childish, irritating, a notorious prankster, doubtless this had amused him, and yet ... to lie so still like that as she slept. To never move or make a sound.' Minerva felt her cheeks flush as she remembered how she had nestled in against Albus, against the dog. It could not possibly have been Albus. Minerva tightened her lips, of course it had not been Albus! How ridiculous of her to waste so much thought on such a clearly nonsencical idea!

Obviously, it had just been some wandering dog, with bright blue eyes, the exact same summertime blue as Albus' eyes, and long white silky fur that just happened to feel exactly the way she had always imagined his beard feeling. A dog that had seemed to beam merrily at her, and really, when did dogs ever smile?

She was going to go crazy if she didn't find out the truth. Minerva set her lips in determination, and strode towards her door, shooting an irate glance at the clock on her way. Never mind the time, she intended to get to the heart of the matter right now!

As she made her way along the corridors of the castle, Minerva spied a familliar figure strolling towards her. Albus was merrily garbed in his favourite deep red dressing gown, over a pure white nightshirt, and on his feet were bright purple slippers, with golden bells dangling from them. His long beard shone like silver, in the moonlight that crept in through the windows, and he was humming under his breath, the sound rather like a bumble bee's buzzing.

Albus beamed in delight as he saw Minerva. "Ah, good evening Minerva, I was just on my way to the kitchens for some hot chocolate, would you care to join me?"

For a second Minerva was overcome with doubts, then she steeled herself, and fixed Albus with one of her most piercing stares. "I was wondering Albus, did you ever become an animagus?" The question seemed casual enough, but there was an undercurrent of intensity in her voice.

Albus was suddenly intensely interested in unwrapping a lemon drop. "I beg your pardon, my dear?" He seemed his normal absentminded self, and yet Minerva was certain that he had heard her question perfectly well.

"I asked if you ever became an animagus, Albus." She said sharply, green eyes intently on him. Minerva was certain that Albus shifted uncomfortably beneath her gaze.

"I really will have to have a word with Ambrosius at Honeydukes. These lemon drops are far too sticky..." Albus muttered, as he made great play of struggling to get the brightly coloured cellophane wrapping off.

Now she was certain that he was being evasive! Never in all the years that she'd known him had Albus ever described candy as too sticky! Minerva's foot tapped on the floor irately. "Albus!"

At last she had his full attention, and she was astonished to see a hint of uncertainity in his eyes, almost like shyness, as he glanced up at her briefly, and then became fascinated with the toes of his bright purple slippers. "I did study it a little, yes." Albus answered hesitantly.

Minerva couldn't help but feel sorry for him at that moment, as he shifted uneasily from foot to foot. To her surprise, Albus almost seemed to be blushing. Then he seemed to gather his courage, and looking up met her gaze. "Yes, my dear, I do indeed have an animagus form..."

"A white dog with long fur, and blue eyes..." Minerva breathed.

She felt Albus' gaze run across her appraisingly, knew he tried to gauge her reaction.

"You were sleeping so peacefully, I didn't want to wake you, and ... you would have banged your head... I couldn't let that happen..." Albus muttered.

There was an uncertainity in his face that Minerva found quite adorable, and in that moment she could quite easily have kissed him, but instead she rested her hand briefly on his arm. "Thank you Albus," Was all she said, as she graced him with one of her rare smiles, before she turned and strode off down the passage.

Then a thought struck her. After all, why should it always be Albus who teased her? Minerva turned back, to see Albus still gazing after her, and with a mischevious grin, said, "Good boy Albus!"

His face broke into a merry beam at that. "If you ever need a pillow again, I am more than happy to oblidge, my dear."

"How about right now?" Minerva reached out her hand invitingly, scarcely believing that she was doing so. And within moments Albus' fingers were intwined in her's, his soft white beard brushing against her face, as his lips met hers in a tender kiss.

Author's notes

Well, that's this story finished. Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed it. :) Now, on to the next story, and all the plot bunnies dancing in my mind. ;)