Disclaimer: See chapter one.

Thanks to all reviewers! Actually, I wanted the story to go a different way, but then, it would have been already over

Emutet: Thanks. Yes, they were sooo close, romance was in the air But not with our little Miss McGonnagall

Strawberry Blonde Chick: Okay, new chappi. Hope you like it. And forgive me the cliffhanger at the end of it

Romance 4-ever: Poor Dumbledore! Maybe I let him suffer till the very end evuilgrin. Ah, well and I hereby declare that all mistakes are not my fault, but the fault of my nationality. smiles

Arabella Figg: Thanks. As you see, I went on very quick.

Griselda La Fey: She really should have told him. But hey, that would have been much too easy!

Human nature

Chapter Three: Decisions

Five years later, a thoughtful Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster from Hogwarts since two years, was pacing up and down in his bureau.

After an hour of concentrated thinking and trying to leave all emotions out of business, he finally decided to send the letter that was lying on his table.

The same evening, he wondered about how the past was influencing decisions that were made nowadays.

A week later, Minerva McGonnagall sat in a little cafZ in London, a cup of coffee in her hands and watched the rain falling down on the streets.

Why did everything have to be that complicated?

"Because you're making it complicated!" she heard Rosalie say, the girl she loved with while she was studying.

"I cannot understand you, Min. What are you searching for? You are the best graduating student of this year, many schools are dying to get you and you got one of the nicest men in the world as your boyfriend. I mean, are you chasing a phantom or what?

"No Rosalie. It's just that I cannot forget him

Rosalie sighed. "Oh my goodness! Minerva, I thought this fuss about your mysterious great love would have been finally over when John started to go out with you! And now you play the same song again!

"I see his face. Everywhere, everytime. I wonder what he would think of me. I even imagine that it is him and not John who kisses me.

"Minerva, now your getting ridiculous! I never thought I would see the great logical Minerva McGonnagall fall, but you are absolutely talking nonsense!

"I got a letter, you know. He wants me as a teacher at his school. I could go back.

"Yeah, of course. And he would fall right into your arms and propose to you", Rosalie said sarcastically.

"That's not the point

"Minerva, that's the real life and not one of your penny dreadfuls! Are you really risking everything you have just to live near a man that will never love you?!

Minerva sighed. She had thought about this conversation a million times, but what was she about to do?

She did not love John, that was clear, but she liked him. And he adored her.

Why run away to a man that would never do that?

Though he was her great love, was he worth it?

She kept sitting there for a while, then stood up and went right home.

The next morning, Rosalie awoke by the sound of something falling down. She groaned, turned around and stood up.

As she went in the living room, she saw her best friend standing there with two bags.

"What the heck are you doing here, Min?

"Rosalie!" Minerva shouted surprised.

"Yeah, that's my name. Are you going?

Minerva nodded.

"Running to that man, I suppose?

"Yes.

"Well, if that's your decision Min, I think I will respect it, though I cannot understand you. I only hope you will not live your life in loneliness.

And Rosalie went back to bed, leaving her friend with a desperate and unsure look upon her face.

Hogwarts was still the same.

As Minerva entered it (the door had been opened by a new porter that she had never seen before), she was suddenly drowning in a storm of feelings.

She wanted to run away, but before she could make a single step backwards, the man had already closed the door and told her to follow her.

Some minutes later, she found herself before Dumbledore's bureau and all of sudden, she regretted her decision.

"Dustbin", the man said and the entry to Dumbledore's bureau opened.

"There you go", he said and walked away.

Slowly, Minerva entered.

Dumbledore was sitting in his chair, writing something. As he heard the quiet footsteps approaching, he looked up.

For a short second, he was so overflown with joy that he wanted to embrace the woman in front of him, but then he remembered that, since the letter, five years had gone by.

Even if Minerva had been the author, who knew if her feelings towards him were still the same?

Minerva, at the same time, tried not to show any affection at all, she looked coolly, almost stern, whilst inside, she was so happy to see him again that all her fears were gone.

"Miss McGonnagall", Dumbledore finally said, waiting for an interruption, waited for her to tell him she was now Misses Smith or Baker or whatever.

But she just nodded.

"Well, I didn't quite expect you to come hereÉ Without writing me back before.

"I came here to tell you personally that I would like to accept your offer. If you still want me.

"If I wouldn't want you, I would not have written the letter to you. Welcome back, Miss McGonnagall. I hope you will have a great time here and stay long.

"We shall see", she said calmly.

But she stayed. And lived in loneliness, like Rosalie had feared.

Feeling comfortable next to the man she secretly loved, she did not risk ruining the friendship they had built up in any way.

But Dumbledore could never forget the letter and kept on searching a sign that could convict Minerva of being the author.

Years passed by and a long time should go by until a second letter was written