((My internet was down for a few days, so I'm a little behind schedule. Apologies for that, but at least you'll get two chapters for Christmas week. :3))

When Zena finally decided Hermione had eaten enough the young witch went to find her room again. It was the first door at the top of the stairs this time, and she only knew it by the red door. She was sure it had been further along. Inside she unpacked before deciding to go exploring again. Minerva had said that was okay but to be careful of the rooms changing place. At Hogwarts places like the entrance to the Headmaster's chamber only changed once a year. Here it seemed to happen whenever she closed the door.

Most of the rooms only held boxes but one had many old paintings leaning against the walls and another had children's toys and an old cot. She was filled with joy when she found an old writing desk that had the names Minny and Hetty etched into it. But by far her favorite room was the Library. This room had books stacked from floor to roof, wall to wall and Hermione spent a lot of time reading the titles of the tomes. After she grew tired of just browsing she picked out a couple that would be useful for her History of Magic homework and another for her own reading.

Eventually she came to a room that was more interesting than all the others. There were brightly colored banners on every wall- crests from different families (some were muggle and some were bewitched with moving lions and eagles). On some shelves there were awards and trophies. Hermione was delighted to see that most of them had Minerva McGongall's name written on them. There were prizes for quidditch and for academic excellence and for public service. One was for Transfiguration Today Most Promising Newcomer award and another was for bravery during the First Wizarding War.

On one wall numerous moving black and white photographs depicted a much younger Minerva with friends (including one who Hermione realised was Professor Sprout) and family. There was a muggle picture of her and a young man and it was the only one that had faded with age. As she stepped away to gaze at the many family crests on the walls she spotted another photo hanging by a nail, half hidden between a blue banner and a red one.

Staring at the picture, Hermione couldn't stop the tug she felt inside her. Her Professor must've been just a little bit older than Hermione was. She was graduating from an establishment of higher education like a college or university and her smile was so beautiful, so carefree it lit up the entire photograph. Her dark hair flowed over her shoulder and framed her modelesque features. Hermione wished she could meet this McGonagall and share in her ecstasy. But then there was the guy in the picture who was laughing also, handsome in a kind of rugged way who casually put his arm around the young Minerva's waist, pulling her closer. In the picture she didn't seem to notice or maybe not care, but Hermione did. She immediate disliked him. Especially not the way that he grasped her so possessively.

"Yes, even I was young once too," the voice made Hermione jump guiltily as if she were looking at something deeply intimate, and not just a photo on a wall.

"You gave me a fright," she said with a nervous laugh.

Minerva moved from the doorframe to where Hermione was so that she could gaze at the picture too. They were close together and the proximity made the girl shiver. As she moved her attention from the picture to her teacher and back again she could definitely see the same girl, although she was hidden beneath layers of measured brusqueness.

"I was quite pretty when I was your age," Minerva said under her breath, as if she were talking to herself.

"You still are," replied Hermione. The moment the words had left her lips she blushed, pursing her lips as if trying to pull the compliment back.

McGonagall laughed. "That's very sweet of you, Hermione, but I'll never look like that again."

"Who's he?" Hermione pointed to the guy in an attempt to cover her embarrassment.

"An old friend."

"Just a friend?" it sounded more jealous than it was meant to.

Minerva quirked an eyebrow as a smile danced on her lips. "Yes, just a friend. He likes to think we could be more, but it'll never happen."

"So you still know him after all this time?"

"Yes, he's who I had to go see. He looks after the house when Zena can't."

"Oh, I think she mentioned him."

"Did she now?" McGonagall seemed amused with her eyebrows raised and a smile tugging at her lips.

"Um… yeah. She said he was a nice guy who helps when the house is naughty… whatever that means. She mentioned Dumbledore too."

"Well don't believe everything she says about me and Albus. She has an excitable imagination."

Hermione looked surprised. Was there something between McGonagall and Dumbledore? She didn't want to believe it, but it definitely seemed possible. "Actually she said he never tried anything. Um…" Now she really wanted to ask, but knew it was wildly inappropriate.

Now Minerva seemed uncomfortable, having realised she put herself on the spot. "Oh. Good." She spied the curious expression. "Don't go spreading rumours, Hermione. Albus was my best friend and nothing more. He was caring and kind, funny and intelligent, handsome as well, but he could never have been interested." It certainly sounded like McGonagall had fancied him.

"Why not? You're just as caring and intelligent and beautiful…"

"You're very sweet, dear, but Albus wasn't interested in any woman. I might not have been very happy about it some years ago, but he was always comfortable in his own skin, so I don't see why you shouldn't know."

It took a few moments for Hermione to understand. "You mean he is… was… gay?"

Minerva nodded sincerely. Once upon a time she wasn't overly enthused on the idea, but things change and she wished she had shown him the kind of love and support he deserved at the beginning as well as the end. She viewed Hermione's shocked face and imagined she looked the same when she found out so long ago. But then the expression changed. The corners of Hermione's lips quivered then jumped then turned into an all-out grin.

"Why are you smiling?" McGonagall asked seriously.

"It's nothing. I just didn't know there were any gay wizards. I've never heard of it before."

Minerva nodded. "It's just as common as among muggles, but we don't have the same… flamboyant attitude." Turning away, she surveyed the dustless room. It had been years since she had last stepped foot in here because thinking of her school years made her feel uncharacteristically melancholic. When she turned her attention back to Hermione, the girl was studying her expression. She cleared her throat. "Come downstairs. Zena's got dinner on the table."

"Already?"

"It's seven o'clock, Hermione."

"Oh." Hermione hadn't realised how long she had spent wandering the house.