Suddenly the doors to the Great Hall open and in walks Kingsley Shacklebolt. He looks directly up at the head table. "I thought it was you." Kingsley murmurs as he walks towards Dumbledore. "I thought I could sense your magical signature in the building. Welcome home." Kingsley smiles at his friend.
"Am I the one person who really believed you were dead? How many people knew you were alive and couldn't or didn't tell me?" Minerva yells at Albus. The frustration and her tiredness is showing through.
"There were very few people who knew I'd faked my death: my brother, Kingsley, and Severus. I couldn't tell you because I knew you would be a target for Voldemort and if he could sense in you that I was still alive it would defeat the entire purpose of what I did." Albus explains to Minerva. "So, can I get my identity back now, Kingsley?"
"I think I can get that done for you, Albus. I have to go back to the ministry so I can get the paperwork started and alert the media. Be prepared for the onslaught. Keep him in line, Minerva, you're the only one who can." Kingsley teases the couple.
"I'll see what I can do Kingsley, I promise. I'm so glad you're safe after all this." Minerva says genuinely.
Kingsley hugs Minerva tightly. "You have been nothing but accommodating and sweet, Minerva. Thank you."
Albus smiles at Kingsley. "Keep up the good work my friend."
"This job is so stressful. I'm quite glad you're back. I'll have you as an advisor now." Kingsley teases Albus.
Albus says, "My best advice is to go with your instincts. No one knows what you want except for you. I'm always here if you need me though."
"I'd best tell Harry I'm going and get back to the office." Kingsley walks in amongst the students to find Harry.
Minerva smiles as she watches Harry, Ron, and Hermione interact with Kingsley. Her cubs have grown up so much. She's so proud of them. She sits at the Head Table and sips her tea contentedly. Despite the frustration that is still simmering over what Albus did, she understands more now than she did when she first found out.
"Minerva, don't be angry with me. Certain people had to know about what I was doing and certain people couldn't know what I was doing. The people that couldn't know were the ones I knew would come about against Voldemort in the battle. Knowing your temperament and how protective you are of the students I knew you would be in the middle of everything. Also I knew I was already one of your only weaknesses. I couldn't give Voldemort one more thing he could exploit in you. I was trying to protect you." Albus pleads with Minerva.
"Just because I understand doesn't mean I like it. You took my choice away. It should have been my choice whether I wanted to know or not. That was not your decision to make! I was still so distraught over your death by the time of the final battle that I wouldn't have minded dying! Your "death" nearly broke me in two!" Minerva admits.
"I never wanted you to feel that way." Albus says quietly.
"I know, but you don't always think about the consequences of your actions. Other people's emotions don't always figure into your equation. You just go on your merry way making decisions with no sense that they affect other people. It's so frustrating." Minerva grumbles. "Sometimes you're just too brilliant."
Albus doesn't know what to say. He also knows sometimes it's better to keep quiet, so he does. He leaves Minerva to her breakfast and her letters. He can hear Minerva huff in frustration. He's not surprised. He knows he's always exasperated her more than he's ever helped her.
None of Minerva's colleagues are willing to try and break into her silence. They've learned better than to do so over the years. Minerva's temper is legend in Hogwarts.