A/N: After writing the last chapter, I was bored in the few moments I've had to contemplate this fic and did a bit of googling. And cos I can, I left the links for my vision down at the bottom. I don't usually do this, but I know some people like that sort of thing, so have at it. FF-ers, I'm terribly sorry but FF doesn't like links so if you're interested, pop over to AO3 and grab them there - same PenName.

For disclaimer, see chapter 1.

/*=#=*\

Being in a city, at night, was something that Minerva had always found to be utterly exhilarating. The way the lights brightened the darkness and the quiet hustle that never seemed to ease, especially in cities as big as London. It was, for want of a better word, magical.

And it was something else entirely with her hand tangled in another's, their shoulders bumping as they walked through the streets. They didn't speak much, on account of the people around them, but now and then she'd catch his eye and blush. She did so enjoy him looking at her like she was his whole world.

"So," he said serenely. "Where are we eating?"

"Have you ever had ramen?"

"I've heard of it, that stuff you put boiling water on, right?" he teased, chuckling as she rolled her eyes at him.

"Not that stuff," she said, nudging him with her hip. "This is the real thing. It's a Japanese dish," she explained. "Noodles, meat, vegetables and a broth usually made with either pork or soy."

"I'll try anything once," he smiled. "I," he shrugged. "Didn't get out much as a kid, obviously. And then I got busy."

"Well," she said happily. "I happen to have travelled quite a lot for a time when I was a younger woman."

"You're still a young woman," he rolled his eyes.

"Not comparatively," she chuckled, letting him pull her closer and wrap his arm around her. "But thank you."

"I think I might regret not travelling when I had the chance."

"Oh darling," she said, stopping them and kissing him chastely. "We have time. I would love to show you the world."

"I think I'd like that very much," he muttered, leaning in for a deeper kiss.

"Come on," she chuckled, wiping a smudge of her lipstick off his lip. "We're going to be late."

He groaned, keeping in step with her while his hand wandered down her back and ghosted over her backside before it slid back to her hip.

"Do you ever think about all the things that could have changed had something gone the other way."

"Harry," she said quietly, leaning against him as they waited for the crossing light. "No. It's one of the benefits of being older. There lies madness."

"Guess so," he grinned, nuzzling her cheek. "You're the boss."

"Only sometimes," she smirked, watching the light change. "Come on. Can't have you wasting away, can I."

They made it to the little ramen place and were seated promptly. Minerva chuckled as Harry glanced at the menu, then looked up at her with wide eyes. She rolled her eyes affectionately and got up from her seat, sliding into the booth beside him. When he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her against him, she decided she liked that seating arrangement much better.

As she explained the menu to him, she wondered absently when she'd become so tactile. She craved his touch and she adored putting her own hands on him too. She'd never been a cuddler, not in all her life, but she sighed as he sat back and pulled her closer.

"You alright?"

"Yes," she shook her head. "My apologies, I was woolgathering."

"Don't apologise," he said gently. "I like being here with you, no talking required."

The waiter came over and took their order. It wasn't especially busy this early and as the waiter bought Harry's Japanese beer and Minerva's glass of wine, they were left alone for another while, tucked away in their corner.

"What were you thinking about?"

"Oh," she shook her head. "Nothing."

"Nothing?" he jostled her gently. "I find that very hard to believe. Tell me?" she glanced at him and found his bottom lip poking out.

"Only Rose and Hugo can get away with that look," she laughed. "And truly, it wasn't anything important. I was actually wondering at what point I became what your generation would label touchy-feely."

"I've never noticed you not being? I mean, not since I started teaching?" He considered it and she let her hand rest on his thigh as she took a sip of his beer while he was occupied. "Oh," he chuckled. "I see how it is."

"Well," she smiled. "Perks of wining and dining you, I suppose?"

He laughed and she couldn't help but join in. He had a lovely, rich laugh that seemed to fill all the spaces around then without being obnoxious. She loved hearing it. She loved watching him laugh with the children, and she loved hearing him laugh when they made love.

Realistically, she just loved him.

"You are pensive tonight," he said gently, breaking into her thoughts again. She hadn't realised he'd stopped.

"Not pensive," she said, twirling her wine glass around for a moment. "Just," she shrugged. "Examining my life, as it is at this moment. I so rarely get a moment of quiet to do so."

"And?"

"I am so very happy, Harry," she smiled up at him. "You make me very happy. I was genuinely thinking about how much my life has changed since you walked back into it."

He smiled at her and she felt like the only woman in the world.

"You don't have to keep thinking that," he muttered as their food was placed in front of them. They thanked the man but before they sat forward, he stopped her. "I'm not going anywhere, you know." She smiled and cupped his cheek to kiss him before moving away slightly and pulling her bowl towards her. Harry looked down at the utensils and back at her with a frown. "Alright lady, what is this magic?"

She chuckled and showed him how to use the chopsticks. He attempted it twice before he looked at her sideways. She passed him a fork.

"I'll teach you before we go to Japan," she giggled.

"Do you know how lovely it is," he said, hiking delightedly at the dish. "Mm, that's delicious. How lovely it is," he said again. "To realise that someone else has already been there and done that? That I don't have to be the one with all the answers."

"Comforting," she said, stealing another swig of his beer. She wished now she'd ordered her own instead of wine. "Albus used to do that for me."

"I feel I should apologise," Harry frowned.

"What on Earth for," she scoffed. "Being younger than I? For not having lived a longer life? No darling," she smirked and leaned into him. "I must say, I quite like it as well. Being able to appreciate your youthful stamina and show you the world is rather heady."

"Well, maybe there are a few things I can show you?"

"Oh?" She asked, challenging him. He had a look in his eye that made her lips twitch and she went back to her dinner, running her thumb over his thigh. He took one more sip of his drink and sat it beside her bowl.

"I know you want to," he chuckled as she looked at him questioningly. "And I'm not a big drinker anyway."

They ate between talking quietly about anything and everything that they thought of. As their bowls were emptied and their drinks finished. Harry paid, waving off her attempt before they left to go to the theatre.

It didn't take them long to find their seats. Minerva had called in a few favours and they had a private box, far enough away to see the stage and close enough that they wouldn't have to squint. She glanced over the crowd with a soft smile on her face as Harry disappeared before the curtain call. Les Misérables wasn't her favourite musical, but it was a good one to introduce Harry to.

Honestly, attending these shows was a secret passion of hers. Ever since she had earned a wage, she'd attended the theatre and seen plays and musicals. When she was younger, she attended with a few friends, but since then, she had preferred to attend on her own. As her own little secret in the big wide world. Something that nobody knew about the so-called "Great Minerva McGonagall".

Yet, she hadn't once considered keeping it from Harry.

"Hey," he said gently, sitting beside her. "Are you really okay? I've been watching you for five minutes, you keep getting lost in that head of yours."

"I'm fine," she nodded. "I was just remembering falling in love with the theatre," she said softly, leaning into him. "I used to attend with friends now and then and at one point, it became my secret."

"Albus didn't -"

"No," she laughed. "Not once. I'm sure he would have, had I asked him, but I never felt like I could. Or," she shrugged. "Like I wanted to? I do not really know why."

"Well, I'm honoured to be here with you," he said and she looked at him for a moment, seeing the truth in it.

"I also just realised that I never considered keeping this from you."

"Then I am doubly honoured," he smiled. "And, if you feel like sharing it with other people at some point, I'm sure Hermione would love to attend with you - or us, rather - but if not, I won't say a thing."

"No," she muttered, her hand going back to his thigh. "You mustn't keep secrets from her. She is welcome to know. And you're right. Perhaps she could invite Evan?"

"They're getting pretty close, aren't they," he muttered, a frown starting between his eyebrows. "Think I need to talk to him?"

"I think you should let her be," Minerva chuckled. "I think if you did speak to him, she might find a reason to hex you, darling."

He laughed as the lights dimmed and she settled in, casting a subtle charm on the seats so she could lean against him without the uncomfortable armrest between them. As the curtain rose, she hoped desperately that he didn't talk through the performance.

/*=#=*\

After the show, they burst out into the night, slipping past other patrons who were talking and exclaiming wildly about the performance. Harry held her hand tightly and pulled her through the crowd like the Auror she knew he was.

By the time they spilled out of a nearby alley, Minerva was laughing at the way he had zig-zagged through the people.

"You'd think we were being chased by the Daily Prophet photographers."

"I don't much like crowds," he mumbled, glancing behind them for a moment before relaxing. "That was brilliant," he smiled. "Thank you for bringing me."

"Nonsense. Thank you for being such a good theatre-goer. You didn't talk once!"

"I was too, what's that word you use?" He tangled their hands together then decided to let go and wrap his arm back around her. "Enthralled. I had no idea! It seems cliched, but it was magical."

"I'm so glad," she chuckled. "I rather agree with you."

"Are you tired?" he asked.

"Not in the slightest."

"Do you want to walk for a while?"

She stopped and looked at him for a moment. Though he looked happy enough, there was something in her eye that made her friend.

"Darling?"

"It's nothing," he smiled genuinely. "Sometimes things just nudge my memories and I need a while to let it go."

"Oh love, I'm sorry."

"Don't be! I genuinely enjoyed it. I just need a quiet moment."

"Come," she said, nudging him backwards into a dark corner. "I'll take you somewhere wonderful."

"You always take me to wonderful places," he quipped as he leaned down to kiss her as they Apparated away.

They arrived, still kissing as they landed on soft grass and he looked around with a smile.

"And where are we?"

"Hyde Park," she smiled.

He smiled and they walked quietly for a while, hand in hand before he sighed.

"I need this to stop affecting us."

"It's not affecting us, darling," she said gently, stopping him and rubbing her thumb over his jaw. "You've had a difficult life. Mine has not been all roses and sunshine either. We all have scars, my love."

"We say that to each other a lot, you know," he muttered.

"But that does not make it less true," she smiled. "I know you don't like me playing the age card, but I am older and I do know that in time you," she bit her lip. "Not learn to live with it, but it does start affecting you less."

"Did I ever tell you about the time that I got lost on a mission?"

"No?"

He launched into the story and she listened as they walked, her heart aching as he told her of the fear and the anguish he'd felt getting lost in a forest. He explained to her how it reminded him of the desolate times they had spent on the run and the utter despair he'd felt for months afterwards.

"They were difficult times for all of us," she said, frowning at how it sounded. "I didn't mean -"

"I know," he soothed, stopping and wrapping his arms around her. She sighed against his chest and snuggled under his jacket for a moment. "Hermione struggled, when she was pregnant, with bringing kids into the world. She knew it was safe but there was a panic every now and then that she got. Ron was useless," he scoffed. "He left us, did you know," Harry sighed, kissing her hair. "While we were in the middle of our hunt, camping out in the Forest of Dean, trying not to die and he said he missed home. Which," Harry chuckled sadly. "I didn't understand. Hermione and I had no home. So, we stayed and he left. I'm not sure, even though Hermione ended up marrying him, that I ever forgave him."

"We can't all be heroes, my love."

He snorted and ran his hands down her back, resting on her hips.

"Wanna get some ice cream?"

"That," she laughed. "That is not what I expected you to say."

"I'm not sure I'm going to sleep tonight," he shrugged. "But whenever you're ready to go, we can. I just don't always want to sit at home thinking about stuff."

"Yes. Though I don't know anywhere around here."

"We'll find somewhere," he chuckled.

/*=#=*\

Harry was half-right when he had said he wouldn't sleep. By the time they'd managed to Apparate back to the flat, Minerva was on her last legs and even he had yawned once or twice. Harry helped her out of those jeans that he had found so sexy, ruing that they were both exhausted and decided he needed another excuse for her to wear them. They brushed their teeth and fell into bed, wearing very little more than nothing.

He'd laid awake for a long while, holding her against his chest. Their skin warmed against each other and their legs tangled deliciously. His fingers trailed over her back until she huffed into his neck and he'd wrapped his arms around her tighter and allowed sleep to come.

It didn't feel like much time has passed when he woke but he was no stranger to feeling tired. He rose carefully, leaving Minerva to sleep. As he shuffled into the living room, he was amazed at how late it was. He made himself some toast and sat drinking coffee looking out over the slowly waking roads.

And then he remembered.

Leaving his half-drunk coffee he stole back into the bedroom and rustled through her things. She'd worn a ring the night before that he'd noticed and he grimaced when he saw her still wearing it. For a moment, he watched her sleeping. He would have to have all the luck in the world to take it off her finger without her waking up, but then again, he was Harry Potter, and stranger things had happened.

He knelt on the bed, wincing as she stirred and took her hand, testing it gently to see how tight it was. It held fast for a moment and he paused as she huffed and rolled slightly. Luckily, her hand stayed in his and he wiggled it off her, cheering to himself in his head. He managed to tiptoe back out of the room without making another noise and threw on his shirt and a pair of shorts and raced out of the door and down the road to the jewellers.

The woman greeted him with a look that made him colour when he realised how he was dressed.

"Sorry," he mumbled. "I ordered a ring yesterday and was coming back to give the guy the size."

"Oh," she chuckled. "Sure."

She opened a large binder and turned to the last page.

"Mr Potter?"

"Yeah," he nodded.

"Do you have a phone number?"

"Um," he winced. "No. Sorry. The guy said two weeks?"

"Yes?"

"I'll be back in two weeks then." He had an epiphany as she was frowning at the book. "I work away a lot. It's best if I just come back."

"Oh," she smiled happily. "Certainly."

"This is the only thing I could find," he winced, handing over Minerva's ring.

"Does she wear it on the correct finger?"

"No, but it was a bit tight coming off her middle left. Figured that might be about right?"

"Most likely but we can alter it if it doesn't fit."

"Great," he nodded as she measured the size. "Can you check he got the alterations right?"

She spun the book around and he read the notes the man had taken. It seemed thorough enough and he nodded.

"Thanks. I gotta go."

"Thank you!"

He ran back to the flat, catching his breath by the front door before stepping through.

"Where on earth have you been?"

He winced at the tone.

"Um. Hi?"

"I thought you'd," she shook her head and her arms were outstretched and she looked adorably flustered.

"What," he frowned as he looked at her. Her cheeks coloured and he gaped at her as he realised what was wrong. "Did you think I'd left?"

"No," she whispered.

"Min?"

"No," she shook her head. "I -"

"Hey," he whispered, cupping her face. "I'm not leaving. Why would I leave?"

"Everyone does," she mumbled, pulling her face away from his hands.

"Min -" he asked.

He followed her for a few steps before deciding to let her go. She closed the bathroom door behind her with a not-quite-slam.

He frowned, running his hands through his hair and only remembering her ring he'd slipped onto his pinky-finger when his hair caught on it. He placed it on her bedside table, hoping she wouldn't notice and contemplated his next move. He took a deep breath, remembering the things she'd said the night before and how understanding she'd been when he'd revealed his own fears. He knocked gently on the door as he heard the shower turn on.

"Min? Can I say something to you before you go in there?"

There was a pause and the door swung open.

"What," she said, exasperatedly.

"I love you."

He wasn't sure whether she was embarrassed or upset or what but he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. He held on as she protested but after a moment, she wrapped her arms around his middle and pressed her face into his shoulder.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be," he muttered. "Do you want some company? Or shall I get started on breakfast?"

"Would you like to go out?"

"For breakfast?" he glanced at his watch. "Well," he grinned. "Brunch now. We slept late. Sure."

"Join me? I," she shook her head. "Don't know why I -"

"It's alright," he whispered, kissing her temple. "Let me take care of you."

He removed his own clothes and her robe with a whisper and gently walked her into the shower. He'd had a small idea that he'd make love to her in there, but she seemed to need his comfort rather than that, so he lathered up a cloth and washed her gently while she stood, staring blankly.

"What's up, Min?" he asked as he ran the water through her hair.

"I," she swallowed. "You know I was married?" Harry nodded. He truly wasn't bothered by that notion. She was older than him, some would say considerably, but he didn't care.

"He died?"

"Yes," she nodded, breathing out slowly. "I dream of him sometimes," she whispered, just loud enough for him to hear over the spray. "They're not always pleasant."

"I'm sorry," he muttered, squirting some shampoo into his hand and rubbing it together and started washing her hair.

"Don't be," she sighed. "I had a nightmare, and I woke to find you gone, with no note and a half-drunk coffee. I," she shrugged, looking up at him as she lathered her hair. "Panicked."

"Even the unflappable Minerva McGonagall panics sometimes."

She laughed as he rinsed out her hair.

"Apparently only around you," she muttered.

"Well, can't say that's unwarranted," he joked, making her laugh. "Come on, my beautiful witch, let me condition this ocean of hair and then we'll go out. I read about a market somewhere close by, wanna go explore?"

"I'd love to," she whispered.

/*=#=*\

Again, my apologies, FanFiction people. The links for the outfits/ring etc don't show up here so if you like, pop on over to AO3 and find the story there. The links are in the same place at the bottom of the chapter. Thanks!