Thank you for staying with me this far, I appreciate it.
Skaterofthebooks – My story is currently rated T and there is a disclaimer on this chapter.
DarthVandola – Thank you for the review again! I'll try not to disappoint on the update front when term starts again (I can feel it creeping up on me already!) :/
Enjoy and reviews are greatly appreciated! :D
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Saturday morning dawned bright and clear, the sun creating shimmering diamonds on the surface of the lake. Owls swooped around the turrets and towers in the warm light before descending to the owlery. Minerva had woken early, the warm sun cascading across her bed, her sleeping lover remained wrapped protectively around her. Something he rarely did until this late in the morning to prevent staff and students suspecting something greater than friendship between them. Minerva smiled; in spite of the events of the previous day, she felt safe and happy. Albus loved her and there was nothing anyone could do that she couldn't recover from while she held that knowledge and his heart. She let out a soft purr of contentment; a side effect of her animagus form and snuggled closer to Albus. He sighed pulling himself closer to her and nuzzling his face into her neck. She smiled; satisfied he seemed to have unburdened himself a little from his grief. She lay in his embrace until he had woken, lost in her thoughts.
Being a Hogsmeade weekend Minerva had accompanied the older students down to the village. Albus had protested, suggesting she shouldn't go alone, but she had insisted. 'Hiding away and not living means he's won, I'm not going to miss out on doing something I want to do because of him. I promise I'll be safe.' she had told him, before pressing a kiss to his cheek. Eventually he gave in, knowing all too well that once Minerva decided what she wanted, he didn't have a chance at changing her mind.
An idea had occurred to Minerva when she woke that morning and a little careful research had given her the information she needed to act upon it. She hadn't felt proud of snooping around Albus' room while he was in the shower, but it had been a means to a better end, so she had done it.
She strode purposefully down the chilly high street, she wore shiny black leather gloves and a Gryffindor scarf was wrapped tightly around her neck. Her black boots crunched satisfyingly on the hard frost on the ground. She passed the post office, the Three Broomsticks pub, and Honeydukes sweetshop; the regular haunts of over excited Hogwarts students. Today she passed without a second thought, only pausing when two black cloaked boys emerged from Zonko's joke shop, arms full of purchases.
'Whatever is in those packages boys I better not be on the receiving end of them!' she called across to them.
'Certainly not, Professor McGonagall.' The first boy said.
'You're our favourite Head of Gryffindor, Professor. We wouldn't do such a thing to you!' an identical boy chimed in.
'I can't believe you'd suggest such a thing!' Exclaimed the first.
'Gideon, I would suggest such a thing as on many occasions I have been on the receiving end of your pranks! Fabian, I am the only Head of Gryffindor you have had! And I'm not sure I trust either of you!' the both laughed. 'Just keep the disruption to a minimum please, Prewitt brother's firework displays are not to become a weekly occurrence.' they agreed reluctantly and Minerva strode on. Eventually she came to a halt outside a grimy looking pub. The wooden door looked battered, broken boards were nailed to the dirty glass windows and the sign above the door hung dangerously on only one hinge.
Minerva shifted uncomfortably for a moment, unsure whether she had sufficiently prepared herself for this meeting. Deciding it was now or never, she took a deep breath and pushed open the door, a bell clanging inharmoniously above her.
Inside was dark and possibly dirtier than the outside. The tables and chairs were scattered around the room, looking as if there had been a fight the night before. Several of the bar stools lay broken on the floor. A loud bang in a back room drew Minerva's attention to an archway behind the bar. Heavy footsteps followed, before a tall man appeared. He wore a grey shirt and apron, his long dark hair and beard looked unwashed and clearly hadn't been brushed in sometime. Minerva felt her stomach jolt; she was becoming less confident in her idea by the second. The mans' appearance made her uneasy and she was put off by the strong smell of goat which she had an uncomfortable feeling was coming from him.
'What can I get ya, love.' he asked gruffly. Minerva shuffled awkwardly closer.
'Er... A...a butter beer please.' he gestured towards the bar, where only one stool remained intact. Minerva sat on it and looked around. When he turned back with her drink in hand Minerva finally smiled. A pair of twinkly blue eyes sat amongst the tousled hair and dirty face. He placed the bottle down in front of her.
'I don't get many Hogwarts staff in here, they normally prefer the Broomsticks.' he commented.
'We don't often venture this far down; we can keep a better eye on the students in there.'
'Expect so.' she looked around again as an awkward silence descended. 'Excuse the mess,' he continued, 'things got a bit unruly last night, I'm sure one or two of them were part troll.' Minerva chuckled.
'My classroom's looked worse on a number of occasions.' she commented. He nodded.
'What do you teach?'
'Transfiguration. First years can make an impressive mess when they get it wrong!' he laughed. The silence this time was more comfortable.
'Shouldn't think unskilled first years are enough to phase a Gryffindor though.' he gestured towards her scarf.
'Head of Gryffindor house.' she corrected him. 'No, knowing I was an auror as well seems to keep them in check most of the time.'
'Impressive.' he watched her for a moment and she shifted uncomfortably. 'This isn't just a social call is it?' he asked finally.
'No.' she conceded. 'I wanted to talk to you about your brother.' he huffed angrily.
'Him I don't want to talk about!' he answered, reaching for several glasses from then sink and banging them on the shelves roughly.
'I know what happened.' she stated and he turned, sadness replacing the anger. 'I am sorry.' she continued. 'I know I shouldn't intervene, he'd be cross if he knew where I was. But I wanted to ask if you'd consider talking to him. He blames himself entirely for what happened and to a certain extent he's justified, but he can't go on like this. I can't watch him hurt like this.' she finished, feeling herself become more emotional than she would normally have liked.
'You're in love with him aren't you?' he observed.
'Yes.' she admitted, checking they were still alone.
'Your secrets safe.' he assured her. 'You should be aware that my brother tends to hurt those he loves the most. I'd get out while you're still relatively unharmed if I were you.' she watched him for a moment, carefully considering her reply.
'He told me a very similar thing. But I wasn't put in Gryffindor house for nothing and I'm certainly not like most people. I love your brother and I intend to marry him this afternoon.' Aberforth looked concerned and surprised in the same breath.
'I think you're mistaking Gryffindor courage for foolishness in that case.'
'I disagree.' she interrupted, 'I would like to extend an invite to you, should you wish to accept please be at the manse in Caithness at two o' clock sharp. If not please keep all information of this event and anything else I have revealed beyond my employment to yourself. Understood?' he nodded, feeling like he'd misbehaved in class and was being told off. Her tone then softened, 'Despite you differences and history, I think Albus would really appreciate you attendance.' she took her last sip of butter beer, placed a silver sickle onto the counter and stood, turning to walk to the door. Just before she reached it he spoke again.
'You really think he'd want me there? He asked. Minerva turned, carefully considering her answer.
'You're his brother. You're each other's only family. Don't do something that you'll regret, life's too short.' she turned back to the door and left before he could respond again. She marched back along the street, her breath visible in the cool crisp air. She smiled and greeted a number of her students as they passed. The smile lingered on her lips as she thought of where she would be and what she and Albus would be doing in just a few short hours.
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And it's not what you think…. :P