My lovelies!

Well, unfortunately my little holiday with my family is at an end as of tomorrow when I return to work. Urgh. But I had a relaxing time, celebrated my birthday on Sunday and spent quality time with my loved ones. But this does mean I'll be returning to my internetless flat D: I'm hoping to get it set up as soon as possible though but if I can't then I'll take my laptop to work again and post it on their wifi. We're not supposed to but who cares? I'm a rebel :P The other downside to my holiday ending, is that I doubt I'll get to update as often as I have done with the last few chapters. My aim though is one chapter per week so it will still be regular – no more three year breaks! I promise.

Anyway, I hope that you are still enjoying this. It's still getting a lot of hits which is fantastic so do drop me line to let me know what you like and if there's anything you don't. I'm always looking to improve my writing so your comments will help.

Thank you to everyone that has reviewed, added me to alerts etc. You're all amazing! And thank you to everyone that is reading. You're making this such an enjoyable experience and I can't thank you all enough.

Happy reading!

xxx

Chapter 37

Minerva sat at her desk in her quarters, surrounded by coursework from her seventh year students. She wanted to get everything back to them in time for them to make a few amends before they needed to be handed in for the final time. She glanced up at her time piece and noticed that he was already 20 minutes late. She sighed as she finished the final paper and added it to the pile, ready to take down to her classroom tomorrow. It was getting on for 10pm and she wondered if she might have time for a quick shower before he arrived. Just as she was heading toward her bedroom, she could hear Leander's angry voice arguing with someone outside the door. She smirked and shook her head.

When the door finally opened, Leander was in his portrait in his lion form, an annoyed expression in his yellow eyes. Severus marched through and she noticed that he seemed angrier than she'd seen him in a long time. The relaxed and energised feeling they'd returned to the school with hadn't lasted very long it seemed. "What's wrong?" She asked him.

"See this?" He produced a piece of parchment and stormed to her desk, pushing it under her nose. "I've just had to order ten new cauldrons and restock my supply closet."

Minerva looked at the piece of parchment and her eyes grew wide. "Goodness Severus," she said, looking up at him. "I'm not even sure we have this in the budget. What on earth happened?"

"Your Gryffindor's are what happened," he said angrily. "Those pesky fourth years!"

Minerva pursed her lips together; she knew exactly who he was talking about. "What have they done this time?" She asked.

Severus moved to the sofa and sat heavily. "One of them, I have yet to ascertain which, thought it would be funny to take the Ashwinder eggs out of their containers. The store cupboard went up in flames, it's a wonder the whole school didn't burn to the ground."

"Ashwinder eggs?" Minerva got up from her desk and moved toward him. "Are you teaching your fourth years to brew love potions?" She smirked at him as she sat down beside him.

He glared at her. "Don't be so ridiculous," he muttered. "Love potions are far beyond the capabilities of a fourth year but if you must know, I am working on a new potion to treat colds and fevers."

Minerva looked back at the list he had given her. "I really don't know where we'll find the money in the budget," she sighed. "Unfortunately, I may have to write to the parents."

"I should think you would," Severus said indignantly. "Those blasted students are a danger to the school. If they were in my house..."

"But they are not," Minerva said, narrowing her eyes at him. "I will deal with my students and ensure that they are punished accordingly. If you are unhappy with the outcome then I suggest you take it up with the Headmaster."

Severus huffed. "There's no need for such actions," he said, resting his head against the back of the sofa but turning enough to look at her. "I trust your judgment." He lifted his hand and touched her cheek gently.

Minerva laughed softly. "Oh no," she said, pushing his hand away. "Don't think you can so easily distract me."

"It was worth a try," he smirked, looking away from her. "Do you have anything to drink?"

"Your week is going that well?" She asked as she stood from the sofa and made her way to her drinks cabinet.

"It feels as though the weekend never happened," he closed his eyes. "I already feel like it's disappearing from my memory."

As Minerva poured them both a glass of Fire Whiskey she smiled. "I hope not everything," she glanced over at him to see him open his eyes just enough to look over at her.

"Well..." he smirked. "Perhaps not everything."

As she made her way back to him he shifted on the sofa so that she could sit closer to him if she wanted. And indeed she did. She sat facing him, her arm resting along the sofa behind him and her legs tucked underneath her. They clinked their glasses and took a sip in silence. She watched his free hand fall onto her thigh and he let his head fall back against her arm. He looked up at her. "How much longer until term ends?"

Minerva laughed. "It's only your first year," she said to him. "Are you really so keen to get away from here?"

"Not really," he looked up at the ceiling. "Just certain people."

Minerva smiled again and took another sip of her drink, savouring the delightful burn in her chest. "Well, you'll have four weeks away," she said to him. "Five if you decide to do your plans from home."

"As tempting as five weeks are, I'm afraid I might go mad with nothing to occupy my time for so long."

"Surely you have people you can visit," she said and he shook his head.

"My 'friends' are all in Azkaban, Minerva." Severus glanced over at her. "I will probably spend my summer continuing with my research."

Minerva considered him for a moment. She lifted her arm from under his head and brushed her fingers through his hair. "You could come visit me," she suggested. "Or perhaps I could visit you."

His eyes turned sharply to her and she snapped her hand away from his hair, an unconscious action caused by the way he looked at her. "I don't want you to come to my home," he said, his voice dark.

"I..." Minerva stared at him. "Alright," she said after a moment, not sure what else she should have said. His reaction had surprised her.

She watched him sigh and relax against the sofa again. "I have no happy memories there, Minerva," he said quietly. "I do not wish for you to be associated with that."

Minerva knew that he wasn't being completely truthful with her but she didn't feel that she could call him out on it. They were under no obligations to share all their secrets and the arrangement suited them fine. Instead she nodded in understanding. "You do not need to explain anything," she smiled at him and rested her arm against the sofa again. "There are some things that perhaps we will never know of each other."

Severus nodded and looked up at her. "Like why you wouldn't let me take off your slip at the weekend," he asked. Minerva froze at his question and tried to understand what he was thinking from looking at his eyes. But there was nothing there. He seemed genuinely interested out of concern, not anger or resentment.

"Yes," she whispered.

"You have scars." It wasn't a question, merely a statement. She knew he remembered the other scars he'd seen, the one he had been so keenly interested in when he first arrived as a member of staff. "I have scars too. You've seen them. I wouldn't judge you for it."

Minerva put her drink on the floor and edged closer to him, her now free hand brushing against his cheek. "I know you wouldn't," she said. "This is a part of my life that I do not like to share, Severus. I hope you can respect that."

"Of course," he said, putting his own drink down and reaching his arms toward her waist. He pulled her against him and Minerva moved so that she could rest her head against his shoulder. "But you're ok?" He asked against her hair.

"Yes," she smiled and looked up at him. "Are you feeling a little happier?"

Severus scoffed and pulled her back against him. "I won't be happy until you've expelled those bothersome students of yours."

-x-

It had been a few weeks since Severus had last been in her quarters. With the pressure of exams approaching, especially for the OWL and NEWT students, all of the Heads of Houses had been holding study sessions for students who wished for a quiet room or extra help. Tonight, however, Albus had given the Head of Houses the night off, as he usually did just before the real panic of exams set in. He had ushered them away and gave them explicit instructions on what to do with their evening after dinner.

Minerva was the first to arrive at the doors of the castle. She had shed her teaching robes and had instead opted for a lighter summer robe to walk down to Hogsmeade in, while wearing a dark burgundy regency style dress that had made quite the comeback in recent years in the wizarding community. Her hair was pinned up in loose curls at the back of her head, a little more relaxed than her customary bun she wore during school hours.

The next to arrive was Pomona, who had managed to tidy her fly away hair and whose robes were a dark blue that matched her eyes. "You look lovely Pomona," Minerva smiled as the other witch approached.

"So do you," she said, pulling Minerva into her for a quick hug. "I must admit that I have been looking forward to our customary night off for weeks now but I wish it didn't require us to dress so formal."

Minerva smiled as she watched her friend pulling at the collar of her dress. "It's nice to get dressed up on occasion," she said, batting Pomona's hands away and straightening out the collar for her. "Better?"

Pomona nodded but she still didn't look comfortable. "Where are they?" She asked, looking up toward the staircase.

"We're right here," Filius said, coming up from the dungeons with Severus in tow. "Had to pull this one from his research into muggle diseases. Are we allowed to know where we're going yet?"

"The Headmaster asked to be at Abe's in half an hour," Pomona said.

While she and Filius continued to talk, Minerva turned to look at Severus. "Muggle diseases?" She asked.

Severus nodded. "The books I took from your home have been most helpful."

"May I enquire as to what you're working on?" She smiled at him.

"You may not," Severus smirked and took hold of her elbow as Filius and Pomona stepped outside.

"What a lovely evening," Filius said, offering his arm to Pomona as they began walking down the path away from the school.

"Perfect weather for replanting my Hemlock," Pomona said irritably. "You'll have to wait a few more days for your Hemlock leaves, Severus."

Severus glanced toward Minerva and she smiled at him as they walked behind the other two professors. "Why are we going out?" Severus asked.

Minerva linked her arm through his and she felt him move closer to her as they walked. "Albus likes us to get away for the evening before the real stress of exams are upon us. It usually entails a night of good food, copious amounts of alcohol and excellent company."

Severus nodded and she could almost feel his mind working as he processed what she'd said. "Are you telling me," he said slowly. "That what we've gone through in the last few weeks isn't the real panic before exams?"

Minerva laughed at that, the sound bringing Filius and Pomona's attention to them. "I'm afraid not," she said.

"I don't remember it being that bad as a student," Severus said with a frown.

"Aye lad," Pomona shouted to them over her shoulder. "As a student you're only concerned about yourself. As a teacher, you've got a few hundred to think about."

"At least it's only a few weeks," Filius joined in. "Then it gets much easier."

Minerva looked up at Severus' face to see him looking slightly worried. "You'll be fine," she said quietly, leaning toward him. "Filius and I will be here to help you."

"Sometimes I still question why I was given Head of House," he mumbled.

Minerva squeezed his arm reassuringly. "I don't," she said. "You're going to make a wonderful Head of House when you take the position officially."

"Come on you lot!"

Minerva looked up at the top window of the Hogs Head to see Abe hanging out of it.

"I have places to be!"

Pomona tutted in annoyance but Minerva couldn't help but laugh. "I think you and Abe could be quite good friends," she said to Severus as she stepped passed him and into the pub. Their personalities were quite similar.

"I don't know why Albus couldn't have used the floo network in his own office. I can't be waiting in all night just for you," Abe grabbed the pot of floo powder from behind his bar and marched over to them.

"Good evening, Abe," Minerva said with a smile. Aberforth seemed to calm a touch and he nodded to her.

"Evening Minerva," he said, his voice at least polite now. "Now you're going to Honey Tree Cottage, everything should be set up when you arrive. I'm closing up at midnight so if you're later than that you'll have to stay until morning."

Minerva looked at Filius and he smirked. It was common knowledge among the staff that Abe had always had a soft spot for her. She was the only student that he allowed to use the floo network in his pub to return to the school after the Christmas holidays. Albus had informed her later in life that Abe had seen a special talent in her that he had observed in Ariana before she was attacked. He watched her grow up and at the same time, saw what could have been their sister's life had she lived. If Minerva was being honest, she'd always had a soft spot for him too.

"This is very kind of you Abe," she said, watching Pomona and then Severus step into the fireplace first.

"We'll be sure to be back before midnight," Filius said as he stepped into the fireplace next. "Thank you Abe."

"Let's be off with you Minerva," Abe said, handing her a hand full of floo powder.

"We'll see you before midnight," she smiled and stepped into the fireplace before giving the destination and being engulfed by green flames.

When Minerva stepped out of the fireplace on the other side, she was met by Filius, who offered her a champagne flute. She thanked him and began to look around the house they were in. It was clearly a very old cottage, most likely a farm house at some point. They were standing in the large living room, the lights had dimmed to give the room a warm glow against the setting sun outside. There were no family pictures lining the walls which gave Minerva the sense that this was somewhere Albus had rented for the evening. The room was decorationed in creams and browns, a typical farm house feel. She peered out the sash windows and could see that there was a bonfire already burning, surrounding it were four comfortable looking wicker chairs.

"I'm not entirely sure why we had to be so dressed up for this," Pomona said as she joined Minerva by the window. She smiled at her friend.

"It's nice to get dressed up once in awhile," she repeated and put down her glass. She reached for the buttons of her outer robe and as she was taking it off, she felt someone at her back. Severus took the robe from her and hung it up next to his. Minerva turned to look at him. He was wearing his black buttoned trousers and a fitted white shirt that was tucked into his trousers. Had they been anywhere formal he perhaps would have kept his robes on but as it was just them...

"You look very nice," he said. Minerva felt his eyes travelling across her body and she knew he lingered at her chest where he could see just a touch of cleavage.

"So do you," She smiled and picked up her drink. "Would you care to explore the outside?"

He smirked and led the way out of the cottage. The air was crisp but warm; it smelt of lavender. "What are we to do here?" Severus asked once they were outside.

"We drink!" Filius said as he practically skipped past them and fell into one of the chairs.

"Do you know what this reminds me of?" Pomona said as they all sat together around the fire.

"Oh don't," Minerva could feel herself blushing already. She glanced over at Severus who was looking puzzled and she wished she could stop Pomona from telling a story from their years at Hogwarts.

"Oh I am," Pomona laughed. "When we were at Hogwarts, I think I was about 16 so you must have been 17. And she was a Prefect at the time. Clearly inline to be Head Girl before her time was over." Minerva cringed slightly and looked over at Severus who seemed to be listening more intently to the Hufflepuff then she had ever seen before. "Filius my dear, you may want to cover your ears," Pomona winked at their former teacher. "Minerva had the wonderful idea that we'd take a picnic down to the lake... at midnight."

Filius chortled. "And I always thought you were a good influence on the other students!"

"She was," Pomona grinned. "She taught us how to break the rules and get away with it."

Minerva could feel Severus' eyes on her and she knew without looking him that he was thinking back to their weekend at Lailoken. She felt a burning need in the pit of her stomach.

"While we were there, we played a few games of poker," Pomona continued.

"Let me guess," Filius turned his eyes to Minerva and laughed. "Something else Minerva taught you." Minerva rolled her eyes while Pomona confirmed his suspicions.

"And the one who lost, had to jump in the lake... naked!"

Minerva flushed and she covered her face with one of her hands. "I can't believe you're telling this story!" She said, feeling utterly embarrassed but unable to contain her own laughter at the memory.

"Miss McGonagall!" Filius said in his strictest teaching voice. "If I could, I would deduct 50 house points from Gryffindor."

Minerva gave a fake gasp and was about to protest when Severus spoke for the first time since they sat down. "Or award her 50 points for keeping such an escapade under concealment for this many years." He summoned a bottle of fire whiskey and some tumblers from the house to where they sat. "You have to admit to being a little impressed." Minerva watched him fill a tumbler and he handed it to her. She tried to ignore the tingling she got from touching his fingers as she wrapped her own around the glass but when she looked at his eyes, she could see what she was feeling mirrored there.

"I would expect no less from this one," Filius smiled at her, bringing Minerva's attention away from Severus. "We were all impressed by her. Teachers and students." Severus stood from his seat and took a glass of whiskey to Pomona and Filius before sitting back down and filling his own glass.

"Even when she made an arse of herself when she got knocked out at her last Quidditch match," Pomona smirked.

"That wasn't my fault!" Minerva exclaimed, the old resentment and anger coming back. "It was those Slytherin's," she smirked when she looked over at Severus. "Always playing dirty."

"So this is why you've always enjoyed trying to beat us?" he asked. "We always wondered about that when I was at school."

"Trying to beat you?" Minerva narrowed her eyes at him but he scoffed and looked away.

"As fair as our Neva can be," Filius said. "It all goes out of the window when the match starts."

"Since when did this become the 'let's talk about Minerva' night?" Minerva asked, sipping on her whiskey and relaxing back in her chair.

"Oh come on Neva," Pomona laughed and picked up a pillow from her chair. She threw it at Minerva and she caught it with one hand, not having moved an inch to do so. "Severus doesn't know any of these stories and Filius only knows some of them. You keep saying we should all get to know each other a little more."

Minerva knew Pomona was mainly talking about Severus and she was right, she had been encouraging her to get to know him a little more. But she hadn't anticipated that this would be how she did it. She glanced over at Severus and saw that he was watching her. She blushed slightly, knowing just how much he had really got to know her at her home a few weekends prior. If her friends knew the truth, they'd think she'd lost her mind.

Filius laughed heartily and toasted the air. "Well, I have some stories for all of you!"

So there it is my friends, I hope you enjoyed. I'd love to know your thoughts and feelings on this so please leave a comment to let me know if you like the direction it's all taking.

I'll update as soon as I can xxx