Hey... Sorry that its taken me so long to update. I really didnt plan on it taking so long. But here you go. Let me know what you think.

Albus wrapped his arm around her waist and placed his hand firmly on her hip. When he did this, Madams Hooch and Pomfrey exchanged a look of surprise and delight when Minerva didn't pull away from him. Poppy knew that Minerva was perfectly fine to walk to her rooms… But also knew Albus too well that if she said that Minerva needed a wheel chair he would offer to bring her. They slowly made their way out of the hospital wing doors.

At first they walked in silence. Albus could tell that Minerva was holding something in, so he tried to start a conversation.

"Umm, how does you ankle feel?"

"Fine." Her voice was bitter as she shook her head. "Sorry. I didn't mean that to sound so… harsh. I am just thinking about the looks they exchanged. Why do they always do this! Trying to get involved in things that don't concern them. I wish that they would just stop creating so much pain and make me think horrible thoughts." She made a noise of frustration and then removed Albus' hand from her waist, moving farther away from him. Then continued on her rant. "She tries to convince me of things I already know, or tries to tell me things that aren't true. Constantly argues with me. I don't know what her deal is!"

"MMMM… I am getting a little confused… Before you were saying they, and now you are saying she. I am assuming the 'they' is Poppy and Rolanda, but the 'she'… Is the 'she' one of them, or is there another party in this fiasco that I should know about?" He looked at her while she glared at him, but to his relief, her glare softened.

"The 'they' is Poppy and Rolanda. And the she… that would most definitely be Rolanda. She always argues with me. And no matter what it is about, neither one of us will give in… Even if we know the other is right." She sighed, "I guess I shouldn't be that mad. She is my best friend, after all."

"Were you two arguing about something the other day when I walked in?"

"As a matter of fact, we were."

"Oh, I'm sorry that I interrupted. I was wondering why you looked so… annoyed." He was saying this more to himself then to her.

"Yeah. But that argument has been going on for… well over five year. But yesterday I almost gave in pestering, so thank you for saving me." She gave him a smile as they continued to walk down the corridor.

"I see… Are you sure it's a good thing that you didn't give in? I mean, if this argument has been going on for over five years, why not just end it?"

"Well, you see, that would create another argument. It's a never-ending thing with her. Maybe I should find a new best friend… Poppy seems like she would be rather good at the 'best friend' title."

Albus chuckled. "Yes, I do believe that Poppy would make a splendid best friend."

"Well, Headmaster Dumbledore, you know who my best friend is; tell me, who is your best friend?" Her voice was mocking as she nearly threw his words back at him.

"Well Professor, you are probably the only person in this school to have to ask me that very question, and yet you are probably the only person who should be able to state that, in fact, you are my best friend." The childish game they had been playing seemed to leave for a moment… But only for a moment.

"I will have to remember that for future purposes." They reached her door, and she spun on her good ankle to face him. "Well, thank you very much for escorting me back to my rooms Headmaster." She was still calling him by his title in an uncharacteristic way. Minerva was flirting.

"And you are very welcome. I will be here tomorrow morning to escort you to breakfast."

Minerva lost her mocking, causal voice, and changing quickly into her serious stance. "That isn't necessary. It is a great deal out of your way, and I believe I have demonstrated that I am very capable of walking to my rooms. Therefore--"

Albus started to wave away her protests before she could even begin properly. "I am coming here because I would like to. But if you have any further objection, then I will not come."

"Oh, no. Um. That's fine. I…I will be ready by seven, so any time after that is fine."

"Aright, I will see you tomorrow morning at seven." He started to turn and walk away.

"Albus! Breakfast doesn't start until eight. That's an hour early! Are you seriously going to come that early?" She had started to follow him down the corridor. He wasn't walking very fast, so she was a scant three feet from him when he stopped and turned to face her again. She almost ran right in to him, but he stopped her by grabbing her slim arms with his long fingers. However, Minerva's propulsion wasn't done with her quite yet, and when she finally came to a full halt, she found herself very nearly pressed against Albus' torso.

They stared into the other's eyes for a long moment. Never breaking contact, he bent down and whispered, "Have you ever realized…" She was hanging on to every word that escaped his lips, and she could feel his breath on her ear. "You are rather accident prone."
He backed up slowly with his hands still on her arms. Gazes still holding, he took her hand and kissed it softly. "Good night, Professor." With that, he turned and left.
It was all Minerva could do to stand in the middle of the chilly corridor, her startled green orbs following his progress until he turned the corner, vanishing with a swish of his blue robes. After a moment of composing herself, she whispered to the empty hallway, "Goodnight, Albus."

TBC...