Uh, I don't know what to feel about this chap coz i think i was sleeping while writing this. whew. But, I hope you'll like this chapter.

Thank you so much to those who reviewed.

Review please! thanks!

Minerva came back to the world of consciousness as she slowly opened her eyes and blinked. It was weird that she felt comfortable like she woke up on a cold morning but surprisingly felt warm. She slowly sat up and was about to get up from bed but something warm and tight held her back and her gaze transferred to her right hand.

Ah crap.

Severus was holding her hand. No. They were holding each other's hand. And she remembered they were holding hands last night even before she fell asleep. Minerva blushed heavily and an awkward smile crept through her face. Even if hell froze, she couldn't deny the fact that right now, she felt totally right and that holding hands with Severus felt like she was at home. Her hand felt perfect against his that she even stupidly thought their hands were soul mates. She never knew her soft and smooth hand would fit and feel right against a rough and calloused one. They felt ironically perfect and she'd decided not to pull her hand away, at least, for a meantime.

She closed her eyes and concentrated on the feel of warmth she felt. She smiled and thought fondly how in the world they ended up holding hands. She recalled the events of yesterday. First with the making of potions together…then, there was a – bad – joke – it – was – nothing issue and…she got over dramatic and…hell. She did made it clear to Severus it was nothing right? Right. But, will the man ever believe and laugh again after she got freakishly mad about the "laughing" thing?

"I've ruined things!" exclaimed Minerva and she was slapping her forehead on and on while thinking how stupid she was.

Severus woke up and saw the witch closed her eyes and there, he lay absolutely clueless like he woke up in a state of amnesia and clearly didn't know anything else but all his senses dragged him to the warm thing against his hand.

Ah crap.

It was Minerva's hand. Of course! He remembered they fell asleep holding each others' hand but what made him confused was the fact that the fully awake Minerva didn't pull her hand away. Yes, he liked the feel of her hand in his but wasn't he supposed to not like it? His trail of thoughts was scattered away when Minerva began slapping her forehead. The witch was busy embarrassing herself that she didn't notice Severus sat up close beside her and grabbed her other hand.

"Hey! What's the big idea slapping your head off?" asked Severus grumpily.

"Severus!" squeaked Minerva.

"Why were you slapping your head off?"

The witch just stared at him, too appalled to speak.

"Are you sick?" He asked desperately hiding the hint of concern in his voice. He released one of Minerva's hands, placed his hand over her forehead and said, "You're not warm."

Minerva stiffened when the man touched her forehead; it felt like the world stopped moving. She felt her cheeks started to burn and she hastily wriggled her other hand free, got up (almost tripped herself) from bed and staggered away to the door while saying "I'm fine". Severus was quick enough to meet her up to the door and blocked the path.

"Minerva, are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"I don't think so." The wizard laughed softly and said, "You've gone mental now?"

Did Severus just laugh? Again? Minerva thought disbelievingly and her eyes widened. He just didn't! Merlin!

"Hey, speak up!" said Severus.

Minerva just stood and stared at him and definitely, she knew she looked entirely stupid to him.

All seemed to have vanished away when Severus saw Minerva's eyes widened. Lord, he knew Minerva has beautiful eyes but he never notice until now they were this damn beautiful and bright. Its green color seemed to show brighter now that (why hadn't he notice at first?) her raven hair was brought down and quite messy. It was the first time for him to see Minerva's hair down and messy (Actually he really wasn't paying attention so he didn't notice he had seen her hair down once) and Minerva looked damn…pretty.

"I…You…You look good with your hair quite messy."

And everything snapped. Minerva's bliss of hearing his laughter – again – vanished like a bubble.

"Thanks for the compliment, Severus." snapped Minerva sarcastically who obviously looked insulted and stormed away.

Severus had a blow. What did just happen? He thought and watched the witch walked away.

"I did compliment her right? And hell, it was the first time I've complimented somebody…well aloud! I…what was that? Why did she look mad and insulted? I have COMPLIMENTED her! What the –"

"Females" muttered Severus and shook his head in defeat that he will never ever understand the concerned species.

"The hell with him! How dare he insult me about looking good in a messy hair" thought Minerva angrily while brewing tea.

She remembered the days when she was still young and that her mother always made sure her hair looked neat and good – looking. She was brought up with the principle of always – make – your – hair – look – great and that's why she resorted to a strict bun because she didn't want it to be messy – looking but look neat and also, her mother told her that girls look ugly in messy hairs. And a while ago, Severus just insulted her about looking good in a messy hair. That. That made her nose flare.

The two remained irritated half of the day. Minerva spent her time sitting on the living room reading a book and Severus was in a distance, debating whether to approach the witch or not but oh well, his feet moved him to the couch and he sat cautiously. He saw Minerva glanced at him with brows crossed in irritation. He swallowed.

"There's no harm sitting few spaces away from her and wait for her to soften up." thought Severus and shrugged. He got the remote from the table and turned the TV on.

"Are you that stupid, emotionless and insensitive, Severus?' hissed Minerva and slammed the book close.

The man annoyingly raised an eyebrow at her.

"Can't you see I'm reading here?" yelled Minerva.

Ah crap. Another mistake made.

"Why the hell did I turn on the TV?" whined Severus in his mind.

"Then go somewhere else!" He yelled back.

"I was the first to occupy this place, you moron!"

"I hell don't care!"

"Turn the TV off."

"I won't."

"TURN THAT TV OFF!"

"I WON'T!"

"MORON!" shouted Minerva and threw the book at him and it hit his arm.

"HELL!" shouted Severus and Minerva stood and stomped away but after two steps she retreated and launched forward to him. Severus slightly cringed when Minerva raised a hand, snatched the book back and stomped away again. For a minute there, he thought she would slap him hard. The wizard made it sure that the witch was out of earshot when he muttered, "Talk about soften up. That bloody Gryffindor."

With all his irritation, he pressed hard the volume button and the TV went louder and louder. He won't let the witch pass with what she did. He was mad too (about the compliment not appreciated).

"SEVERUS, YOU BAT!" shouted the irate Minerva from the couch near the fireplace where she was sitting.

"SHUT UP, YOU HAG!"

"DON'T LET ME GO THERE AND RIP YOUR HAIR OFF!"

"LIKE HELL YOU WOULD!"

"I CAN AND I WILL IF YOU WON'T TURN THAT TV OFF!"

"HELLISH HAG!" shouted Severus who thumped the remote on his palm and accidentally turned the TV off. The man swelled in fury (talk about circumstances) but he couldn't just turn the TV on again. It would be like he was already defeated but called for a rematch to save his pride. That would suck so he better went out from the house (slamming the door closed) and stood outside the lawn. He was pacing back and forth and was chanting curses and words like "that hellish hag" when a thing with a soft thud hit him. He was startled at first but went on glaring around, looking for a kid who might have hit him with a rock but he found no one. He looked down to his feet and saw a roll of parchment. All of the anger he had a while ago vanished instantly and was replaced by curiosity. He picked it up and looked around for an owl. A screech came from a nearby tree and when he darted his gaze to it, a handsome white owl came in sight giving him a look telling he was completely a moron who realize things so slow.

"You blasted owl!" said Severus grumpily.

He paced to the door while muttering under his breath about poor owl training, went inside the house (hardly noticing the owl followed him inside) and went straight to Minerva but stopped ten steps away from her.

"Minerva!"

The witch, who was reading a book, ignored him like he was a ghost floating out of nowhere.

"MINERVA!" He called again.

"WHAT?!" snapped the witch and slammed the book shut (again). "WON'T YOU STOP ANNOYING ME? DO YOU WANT US TO KILL EACH OTHER?"

"Later. First, we have a letter." said Severus.

"From whom?" asked Minerva, forgetting the anger he had for the wizard.

Now that he realized he didn't check who the sender was, he immediately rolled the parchment down and sneered. "Albus"

"Really?" asked Minerva excitedly.

Severus nodded. He went to the long sofa and sat. Minerva followed him and sat close beside him. They both read the letter silently.

Dear Minerva and Severus,

Greetings of peace!

I do wish you two are fine. It's been sad and quiet here since the day you left. The faculty misses the both of you terribly. They were a little gloomy here. My life has been threatened (some tried to kill me) but I assure you that I've managed to save my life and I'm perfectly well and safe.

I wish the two of you are getting along well enough and improve your relationship with each other. I guess the first days being together drove you mad but I certainly do hope you've managed not to kill each other but I'm perfectly sure you didn't because your wands were here with me unless you two resorted to strangle each other which were very unlikely for you to do. I hope you two keep the husband – wife relationship working as it is part of the disguise to fit in that town. I wish you well and good luck. We miss you.

Your friend,

Albus

While reading the letter, Severus can't help but tense, having Minerva so close beside him for the witch was leaning even closer to read the letter. He caught the fragrance of rose or maybe lavender, or must be rose from the witch when she leaned. He inhaled it hungrily and forced himself not to avert his nose and place it on Minerva's hair or neck and smell the sweet fragrance. Hell, the witch smelled good. He was so engrossed in sniffing that he almost jumped when the witch said,

"That's so thoughtful of Albus. I actually miss them so much."

"Thoughtful enough to remind us about the husband – wife relationship? Damn, the old man won't leave us alone."

"Let's put that thing aside. At least, he was thoughtful enough to let us know he didn't forget us."

"Of course, that wizard might be that nonchalant about this thing but he also no doubt want to fish some juicy details just like your female friends."

"They do tease us a lot."

"They need some extensive therapy."

Minerva and Severus, who obviously forgot the fight ago as if it was just a mere bubble, conversed casually, hardly noticing their close position and the other parchment stuck behind the headmaster's letter until Severus shifted the letter aside that made the end of the other parchment plucked out.

"Look! There's another parchment behind the letter!" said Minerva.

"Great, were they dabbing two or more letters with glue at Hogwarts now?"

"Maybe the letter was sealed too tight that it made the letters really pressed together."

"It's from…."

"The teachers!" exclaimed Minerva excitedly.

"Great." said Severus wearily.

The two read the parchment, crammed with short messages from each of the faculty, silently.

Minerva

Merlin, I almost killed Albus when he announced already late to us the punishment. I would have loved to be there and see you off. I'm thrilled about the punishment and I'm already dying to hear the details. I wish you and Severus good luck and oh, I miss you so much.

Severus,

Be a good man. Take care of my friend and also take care of yourself.

Pomona.

Oi, I helped Pomona killed Albus. He's still alive, don't freak. Really, how dare he tell us after you two were off already! So how's it goin'? I could have given you two some tips. Hope you're not exhausting yourselves every night but well, worth the pleasure.

P.S. Severus, use protection.

Ro.

The two blushed hard and tensed and shook their heads in exasperation.

"The mind of that woman –" said Severus.

"– is way nasty." finished Minerva.

Dear Minerva and Severus,

If you're thinking Rolanda's nasty, I agree. She and Pomona tried to strangle Albus. Poor man. I hope you two are fine and healthy. Don't get sick and eat the right foods. I also hope you two get along well. I know you care for each other deep inside. I miss you both.

Love,

Poppy

The two blushed again and chorused, "Wrong". (They were talking about the "care" part)

Hello Severus and Minerva,

I guess the whole punishment's really hard for you but I hope you are doing fine. You both have my best prayers.

Filius

Minerva! Severus!

Sorry but I'm really happy about the punishment! Too bad I'm not there to see the improvements! But, I'll wait for you to come back and spill the details. You won't be going anywhere especially you, Minerva.

Anxiously waiting here,

Aurora

"I'm doomed." Minerva sighed.

"I agree with you there." said Severus.

"I'm surprise we agree about one thing!" said Minerva mockingly.

"Shut up, Minerva."

Minerva

Hello. Err – hope you're fine. By the way, Hagrid didn't get the chance to write here for he's away for some business but you didn't see how happy he was when he knew about the punishment. We miss you. Take care and good luck.

Severus…uh, hi.

Bathsheba Babbling

Minerva smiled. Bathsheba was not really close to her and certainly doesn't lurk around alone with Severus for she was quite scared of the man but she could be thoughtful…sometimes. She got along well with the other female teachers and especially in synched with the others about teasing her and Severus.

"Wow, she wrote hi to you. Severus!"

"I'm not blind, Minerva."

"Aren't you glad? Even though she's scared of you, she said hi!"

"That's the point. Even in a letter, she could only manage "hi" because she's scared."

"At least she wrote a word or three for you; count your name in and well, did you expect more words from her?" asked Minerva warily.

"You're talking nonsense!"

"You have a crush on her." said Minerva flatly.

"Hell, NO!"

"You do."

"I don't and never will have a crush on her. I also have some taste."

"So, who's your taste?" Minerva's stomach lurched.

"None"

"You lie. Tell me."

"I said none."

"I'm listening"

"NONE"

Minerva sighed but ridiculously felt a gut feeling of relief deep inside. She shrugged it off and remained nonchalant. "Okay, let's finish reading the letter."

The inner eye sees strong emotion and pain will come your way. Your fate –

"It's best to overlook your best friend's message." said Severus.

"She's not my best but "Beast" friend. Honestly, I wish she didn't bother to write."

"You're harsh." said Severus and chuckled softly.

"That I am."

Hey Minnie and Severus!

I almost faint where I heard you two were living together as a couple. Wow, the headmaster has brains but I also almost helped Pomona and Rolanda kill him. I like his idea. You two do make a perfect couple! Oops, don't flare now it won't make me stop teasing you. Septima's busy but she said hi and oh, Professor Bins too. Man, that man does not go with a quill. Well, of course, for he's a ghost. I can't wait for you to come back.

Until then,

Charity B.

"Another devil who doesn't drop the curls in her handwriting. She could really be stupid sometimes." said Severus.

Minerva laughed and said, "Oh, I miss them so much."

"Even Sybil?"

"Did she write in the letter?" asked Minerva playfully.

It was Severus' time to laugh. "No, she didn't."

The letters miraculously made the moods of the two professors better. They instantly forgot the fight about the compliment – insult issue and the turn – the – TV – off – and – on fight and went on writing the response together. Well, not really together but they were sitting close when Minerva independently wrote the response while Severus grudgingly fed the handsome white owl as what Minerva requested him to do. Severus commanded Minerva to write his threatening responses to the faculty which she secretly edited to not sound that harsh but still the thought of his words remained the same. After a while of writing (and a little bickering), they (means only Minerva) bid goodbye to the owl soaring away, carrying their response. And unbelievably, the two remained friendly as if the fight didn't even happen for the rest of the day.

And at bedtime…

Minerva was slowly getting the pins from her hair while looking at her reflection in the vanity mirror when Severus went out of the bathroom and stopped on his tracks to look at her. She caught sight of Severus' reflection, who was watching her, in the mirror. She turned around and faced the man.

"What?" She asked.

"Nothing." said the wizard who slightly blushed and went to the bed and lay down.

The witch shrugged and continued on her work. After a second, her raven hair magnificently cascaded down to the middle of her back and she messed it with her hand.

Feeling now relaxed, she went and crawled in the bed. Severus stiffened.

"Did you really mean what you say?" asked Minerva who shifted to her side, facing the man.

Severus stiffened even more but looked abruptly to her. He almost jumped out in bed when he found Minerva's face was only few spaces away and her bright eyes bore on his.

"About?" He asked annoyingly.

The witch just gave him the you – know – what – I'm – talking – about look and he sighed.

"Yes and I just don't get it why it drove you mad."

The witch was shocked to hear and see the sincerity in his voice and eyes and she felt her stomach dropped. There was no tone of sarcasm or insult in his voice and she realized the man was actually saying the truth not to insult her but to compliment her. She felt very, very dumb. But really, looking good in a messy hair? Then again, what did she expect from Severus? Nice and cute words? The man was even so naïve about rules of how to compliment a woman.

She ignored the sick feeling she felt when she remembered how bad she treated the man half of the day and smiled at him.

"Thank you, Severus."

The man gave her a look telling him she'd gone nuts. She softly chuckled, rolled on her back and closed her eyes.

"Goodnight." She said.

It took a while for the wizard to settle comfortably and responded.

"I think you need therapy but goodnight…Minerva."

Minerva smiled and went to sleep.