It had been weeks since their breakup. Luckily, Minerva was able to bury herself in preparation for finals. It at least made a handy excuse for when the younger students asked why she wasn't helping teach Transfigurations anymore. These weeks were full of tepid glances between herself and Albus in the Great Hall and awkward bumping into each other during class. She naturally had told Pomona and Rolanda the night of the breakup - after all, the damage was already done. Naturally, the girls offered to hex his bollocks off - Minerva declined the offer but did give them permission to cause extra trouble in Transfigurations. Rolanda may have lost Gryffindor thirty points but it was worth it to see Albus constantly peeved at being pranked during class.
Albus, meanwhile, was in a world of inner turmoil about the affair. He knew he'd overreacted and he also knew that as her teacher and older lover, he was just as responsible, if not more, for any impropriety. How could he blame the girl for telling her friends? At least he could trust her to not tell Armando. Even so, the other teachers had noticed something was wrong. They weren't completely stupid or oblivious, and obviously knew he and the McGonagall girl were close. Multiple professors asked why they were spending less time together and Albus explained it away by blaming it on finals preparation as well. He'd been so sad and lonely, he crawled back to Slughorn to resume their poker games. Hell, he'd even gone to the Hog's Head to cry to Abe, who naturally was not having it. Albus knew he'd caused himself these problems, yet his pride wouldn't let him apologize to Minerva just yet.
It was the week of the Yule Ball and Minerva remembered her determination to find a date to the affair, before Albus had shifted her plans. She realized that she had extremely limited options after spending every waking moment with him instead of socializing with her own peers. Then she remembered her Head Boy. While not sexually attracted to Tom at all, she figured he could be a fun date as friends. Minerva knew he, too, didn't have a date as he'd been very busy in the library lately, working on something he assured her was top secret.
As Minerva and Tom were scheduled on rounds together that night, she schemed in the common room with Rolanda and Poppy about asking him to the dance. They decided the best way to do it would be just upfront - Tom was a man who didn't like to use niceties or beat around the bush.
Rolanda inquired, "Are you sure this isn't just your way of getting back at Dumbledore?"
Minerva blushed, "I do hope to make him jealous but I also just want a date! You two don't know how embarrassing it is to show up to these things by yourself every single year! No man in this school ever took an interest in me, before Albus, as I was too smart, too intimidating. Now that I really know my self worth, I want to show everyone else, including Albus, what they're missing!"
The girls exchanged glances, worried for Minerva's mental stability, but didn't push it. Instead, they all planned their Yule Ball outfits and coordination with dates. Poppy and Alastor, somehow still going strong, had dress robes of a deep purple. Poppy's dress naturally had both a deep v-cut and high slit up the thigh. Rolanda was going with the seeker of Hufflepuff, a young woman by the name of Goldie Suzanneburg. They coordinated matching yellow and crimson dress robes to show off their school pride. Minerva planned on wearing her silky emerald dress, bought at Twilfit and Tattings all those months ago. She knew Tom would love the color if he agreed to go with her. Minerva really couldn't deny that her end goal was to make Albus jealous, or at least aware of what he was missing. Therefore she charmed the dress into having a gorgeous boat-neck cut but that was completely backless. The dress was taken in to fit every curve of her body. She also charmed out a slit up the thigh, slightly more modest than Poppy but enough to showcase her toned legs.
During rounds that night, Minerva approached the subject of the Yule Ball to Riddle, who confirmed he didn't have a date
"What if the two of us went as Head Boy and Head Girl? It would certainly get a rise out of the student body and professors alike!"
Tom gave her a grin, "I've always wanted to attend a Yule Ball with you, Minerva. It'll be my honor to have a witch of fellow mental caliber at my side."
Minerva almost instantly regretted asking. Why did he always have to phrase things so creepily? She gave him a weak smile. "Looking forward to it, Tom! I'll arrange our seating at dinner and other logistics. And by the way, I'll be wearing green."
The Head Boy and Girl parted ways. Minerva's stomach dropped after she passed Albus's quarters, but held her head high as she went towards the commons.
Finally, it was the day of the Yule Ball - as it wasn't a Triwizard Tournament year, the ball was held slightly before Christmas Day so that all students could participate if they were going home for the holidays. Dinner would be served promptly at 7, and the ball itself would take place from 8 to midnight. For all the charms of the girls' dormitories and social mores of the time, the Hogwarts faculty knew there'd be quite a bit of hanky panky occurring after the ball. Poor Healer Blackmar had been preparing contraceptive potions for the weeks leading up to the ball and was now handing out small vials to every witch from the fourth year and up at lunch. The Great Hall itself had been smartly decorated in crimson and green and a magnificent evergreen tree displayed itself prominently behind the high table. The entire castle was buzzing with anticipation as the house elves worked round the clock to prepare the feast and Dippet did rounds about the castle, inspecting it for the evening.
After lunch, Minerva and the girls were so excited that they started getting ready for the dance. Charming their hair into loose curls and using makeup spells to lengthen their lashes and rosy their cheeks, they could pass for members of the Royal Family. Minerva hesitated, but decided to put on her string of pearls that Albus gave her only a week before the breakup. She didn't really know what her goal was tonight - ideally she'd win him back but knew that was just a dream. She'd never met a wizard as determined and stubborn as herself.
It finally neared dinnertime, and the girls' dates were waiting for them by the Fat Lady. Tom waved and gave Minerva a bow and a whistle once he saw her. "M'lady, you are looking good!"
Minerva wanted to be sure Tom knew that this was purely a date as friends so she gave him a teasing punch on the arm. "You're not looking too bad yourself!" It was true - lately Tom had become very reserved, pale, and gaunt. But tonight, he looked like his old self, with his hair combed back and even a little snake brooch holding his emerald robes together. Striding into the Great Hall, announced by Dippet himself, she knew they looked like a great couple.
Albus observed from the corner. Unfortunately, all Hogwarts faculty were forced to partake in the festivities or he'd be nursing a bottle of firewhisky alone in his quarters. Instead, he and Sluggy decided to make a drinking game of the dance and carried around goblets filled with vodka, but charmed to look like apple cider. Tonight was going to be miserable. He'd have to see Minerva, who probably looked stunning, and he was certain she'd have a date. He'd heard rumors at the last staff meeting that it was Tom Riddle - was there something romantic between them? Meanwhile, he didn't even have a suitable witch to dance with - the closest woman to his age here that wasn't a student was Professor Didway of the Muggle Studies department - and she was nearing 70 years old! Nevertheless, Albus tried to look somewhat presentable just in case Minerva paid any attention to him. Royal blue robes and a freshly trimmed beard marked the occasion. His jaw dropped and stomach flipped when he heard Minerva's name announced. She was a vision. That emerald dress, showing the body he'd grown to know so well. The open back showcasing her unblemished, slightly tanned skin from months of Qudditch. Her ruby lips and dazzling smile, her bouncy black curls, and… could it be? The necklace he'd given her? What game was this witch playing? Albus caught her staring at him and pretend to be disinterested, turning towards Horace for conversation.
Bastard. Minerva knew that Albus was watching her, she knew she was the hottest witch in the room. Minerva shook it off and asked Tom to grab some egg nog. Another Gryffindor 7th year had poured in about two handles of firewhisky into the bowl without any professor noticing, so this was bound to be a fun night. Heading to the dinner table, Minerva noticed she'd been placed at the table with Tom, Headmaster Dippet, two Ravenclaw fifth years named Jordan and Amber, who Minerva liked and respected, and Brennan Conroy, a sixth year seeker from Hufflepuff. While it was an entertaining mix, she couldn't help but be jealous of the table that got Albus right next to hers. Oh well.
With dinner done, it was time for dancing. She and Tom waltzed around the floor as the popular band, Vampire Workweek, performed for the students. The hours seemed to whiz by as she got drunker and started to notice Albus less and less. But she was upset that he seemed to be ignoring her. Searching the ballroom, she found him not sulking in the corner, but dancing with Professor Didway! It was absurd of her to be jealous of a woman far past menopause, but here Minerva was, silently fuming. She led Tom to dance over by Albus as a slow song started to play, the two intertwined, swaying back and forth to the music. Minerva still held him at arm's length, however, she really did not want Tom getting any ideas. Suddenly, Tom felt a tap on his shoulder. It was Albus, who by this point had drunk enough to shed off his pride. He wanted his witch back.
"Mr. Riddle, mind if I step in? I have a few urgent matters to discuss with my Teacher's Assistant." Professors and students traditionally danced with each other at the Ball, but Tom still seemed confused and annoyed.
"Uh, of course Professor Dumbledore. Min, can I get you anything to drink?"
Albus shooed him off. "No need, Riddle. I'm afraid this will take quite some time." Albus held his hand out to Minerva. Miss McGonagall - may I have the pleasure? It's been too long since we last spoke."
Minerva replied cooly, "Of course. It would be rude to decline."
Now that they were in an embrace, Albus whispered in her ear, "What games are you trying to play with me girl? Wearing my necklace? Wearing that dress? Going with Riddle of all people?"
Minerva played coy. "Albus, I have no idea what you're referring to. And I'm so surprised you'd want to be seen with me in public like this, given your love of secrecy." Her words hurt - they were the truth.
"I suppose I may have overreacted." Albus murmured. "You've been well, I trust? Actually, I know. I've sent Peeves to check on you every night. After nearly hexing him into oblivion, he's gained a newfound respect for me."
Minerva was touched. He still cares! "I'll have you know, Tom and I are nothing. This is all for you. Albus, I'm still yours if you want me."
"Silly girl, I could never stop wanting you." At this point they'd been cheek-to-cheek for two dances and people were starting to stare. Dippet looked slightly alarmed.
"Albus, maybe we should continue this conversation elsewhere. Step outside to the Sundial Garden for some fresh air? I'll leave now - if you truly want me, follow me in 15 minutes." Minerva abruptly broke apart from the professor and hurried out of the room, leaving Albus open mouthed on the dance floor. He regained composure and asked Healer Blackmar for a final dance.
Minerva sat shivering and stupid out in the courtyard. It had been 15 minutes and Albus was nowhere to be found. The light snowfall touched her cheeks, or was it tears, as she determined herself to tell Albus her true feelings if he ever arrived. Finally, she saw him approaching.
"Minerva, dear, you're freezing! Here - put on my robes." Albus held her close in the snowy garden. "He spoke into her hair, "Remember that first time I met you? When I drastically overreacted to you being my assistant? Well, I do believe I've made a fool of myself again. Every day I thank Armando for assigning you to me, and hopefully, every day I'll thank the gods if you agree to start again with me. I don't care who in the world knows it anymore, I LOVE MINERVA MCGONAGALL!"
Minerva perked up. "You… love me? Albus I love you! I've loved you since before you went to battle. These weeks have been so hard, I couldn't live without you in my life completely." Minerva remembered the whole aim of her outfit. "I love you and I want to show it - can we go to your rooms?"
Albus knew what she was referring to at that moment, what they and dozens of other couples would most likely be up to tonight, if the healer was right. Of course he wanted to sleep with her, he'd wanted that for months, but was now convinced that she'd made this decision on her own accord. The two excitedly rushed back into the castle, sneaking to his rooms and avoiding any detection as the ball wasn't yet over.
"And what will you tell Tom?" Albus asked, bemused.
"Easy! I came down with food poisoning after that dreadful custard we had tonight! And what will you tell your lovely date, Professor Didway? It was her seventieth birthday last week, wasn't it?"
Ahh this was the Minerva he missed, the constant teasing and flirting. Albus shut her up with a passionate kiss. "I guarantee you I'd never kiss her, or any other witch like that."
"Mhm? Is that so? Prove it." With that, Albus led Minerva to the bedroom. He wanted her first time to be special and hoped it would be, as he undressed her with affection. When Minerva dreamed about her final Yule Ball, she never expected it to end with losing her virginity to the Transfigurations Professor, but then again, this year had been full of surprises.