Chapter IV :

The following days, neither of themspoke about the incident. They acted like usual during the day. They were normal all the time, together or not. In front of everyone, they were "normal". When she taught the forth years Griffindors and Slytherins, she acted like usual with everyone, ronald Weasley include. Anyway, nothing happened, so, as she didn't wanted to, she didn't rethink about the conversation she'd heard, even alone.

Actually, this wasn't necessary to add this to another worry: she still hadn't anyone to go with to the Ball and it was sooner than she actually wanted it to be: 10 days. Ten days and she hadn't even a dress to wear for she wasn't sure anymore to go to that BLOODY DANCING THING.... she didn't want to go alone... Minerva McGonagall snapped her head, wiped her tears and returned to her marking.

Albus was pacing in his office... He was still without a date for the Yule Ball... this wasn't because he had asked someone and had been refused... Actually, the matter was that he hadn't asked anyone... Oh... yes... there was someone he dreamt to go with. They had attended many balls together, as friends, but this time was different. Yes, they had always gone as friends, but he didn't want to go with her as a friend... He didn't want her to SEE him as a friend anymore... And because of this Weasley, that kind of a ....

"A silly boy, really..." thought Albus, « How not to see how beautiful, smart, gifted, witty, kind, compassionate, nice,.... she was?!"

"Minerva..."

He had to find a way to woo her, to show her how wonderful she was... and perhaps to win her.... But before... how to aske her to go to the Ball with him ? He simply had to ask her and... OK. But... what if she said: "No" ? What if she already had someone to go with? What if....??? He decided to take all his Griffindor courage and to go ask her. He put a lemon drop in his mouth (for luck) and went to her office.

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"Oh noooooooo! Only 3 days until the Ball and I still haven't dare to ask her..." thought Albus during their Tuesday's chess matche. "How will I do? She had surely had plenty of demand on her own..."

"3 days! Only 3 little days till that fucking Ball! And... STILL NO DATE!!!!! How will I do ??"

"I can still ask her..."

"Who goes with him..."

-Albus...

-Minerva....

-Lady's...

-No, you first, Albus.

-Well… I… Minerva… Do you already goes with someone to the Ball ? "Yes, she does, you old coot!"

-N...No, I... I don't. babbled Minerva, blushing.

-I don't too… So... could you, please, make me the honor of going with me, my dear? Asked Albus with his most radiant smile.

To his great surprise, she bursted into tears and tried to ran away from his office. He didn't understand her reasons, but he hold her back by her arm.

-Minerva, what...

-You only want me to go to that BLOODY BAL with you because you don't have anyone, don't you?!! But you cannot ...

-Minerva ! cut Albus.

-What ?

-WHAT ?!!

-I don't want you to go with me because there is no one else… I have never want to go with anyone else… Minerva… You're beautiful, smart, witty, nice, caring,… and you're my dearest friend. You know, I've tried to ask you for more than a month but… I was so nervous… I…

-Albus…

-Yes ?

-Thank you…

-so… you accept to come with me ?

-Of course ! Albus… I… I'm sorry for…

-No need to apologize, Tabby. It's I who must apologize, you know… I really am sorry...

-Nothing to be sorry about, Albus... I just overreacted and I… Tears began to fall down on her cheeks.

-Shshshshshsh....

He pulled her against his chest as she cried, evacuating her too much emotions. He comfort her by gentles nonsenses, rubbing her back,... When she had calmed down, he cupped his lovely face in his hands and wiped her tears away with his tumbs. They smiled shyly to each other.

-Now, my dear Minerva, I hope you'll wear a beautiful dress... I want you to be most beautiful lady of the place « as you always are… » thought the wizard.

-Albus… I…

-Yes, my dear, what is it ?

-I have nothing to wear for the Ball... confided the witch.

-No need to worry, my dear... I will create one dress only for you... Wait here a minute... said Albus with a smile.

One minute later, he was back with one of his brightest purple pajamas.

-Albus... what...

He only smiled reassuringly and summoned a folding screen.

-Go try this, my dear...

Minerva raised her eyebrows skepticaly but said nothing and went behind the folding screen. She changed herself in Albus' vivid purple PJ and went back to the spot in front of him. He couldn't help but notice how beautiful she looked in his too large pajamas...

-Well... Now, I'll made your robe... Close your eyes, my dear.

-but…

-Please… asked him giving the puppy eyes and making her laugh.

-Ok...

She closed her eyes and waited as he changed the (so much times) said pyjamas in a beautiful dark-emrald-green-ankle-length dress. The cut let her shoulders bare and the ends of the very long sleeves were evased. She had a decorative belt ( deep forest green) that emphasiesed just a little the curve of her hips while the one of her breasts was, too accentuated. He undid her bun and freed, her long curled ebony hair cascaded to her waist.

-You can open your eyes, now, Tabby. Told him in a low tone that made shivers run dowm her spine. She didn't even complained about her hair...too shoked by his proximity... eyes locked to his.

-How do I...

-Judge by yourself, said Albus, taking her hand on his and leading her to a great mirror. She looked at her reflect, stunned.

-So, my little Tabby, what do you think? Did I work well?

-If you... Albus... this is beautiful… really… thank you.

-You ARE beautiful, Minerva McGonagall, beautiful like a goddess… don't doubt it. She blushed deeply and he replied with a grin :

-Do I have already told you how much blush does wonderfully suit you? Making her blushing even more if it was possible.

Without one of them noticing, the space between them had reduced a lot. Without thinking, he put an arm on her waist while taking one of her hands in his larger one. He kissed it gently and she put her other hand on his shoulder. She could see his sapphire blue eyes... they didn't twinkle anymore but were darkened bysomething she couldn't definite. Slowly, they leant to each other. Their lips were so close... only spared by a few inches.

They were about to kiss when…

-Headmaster !! said Severus Snape angrily as he opened the door with a great BANG and entered the room.