Minerva McGonagall, as a rule, was not easily confused. But, as she read the letter for the seventh time, she couldn't help but be so. Someone had given her a voucher for a candlelit dinner for two at a rather lavish-looking restaurant in Muggle Oxford.

For her anniversary.

The anniversary with the wife that only a handful of people knew about.

The handwriting was one she didn't recognise and she'd asked around after classes had ended and found that none of the staff was responsible for the gift and now she was properly stumped. In truth, it should have filled her with dread that someone had found out. Instead, as she re-read the letter, she decided that this mystery person might not mean any harm. It was clear they knew her fairly well. They seemed to know exactly what she would think and do and took great pains to explain clearly and logically all the ways Mineva could control the situation.

She sincerely hoped that this was a genuine invitation and not a trap. The war was not so long ago that she was still a little nervous about going somewhere she'd never been before. Even in Muggle Oxford. But, as the letter said, there was no date set, she would only have to show up. That helped her decide that she would nip there, perhaps have a glass of wine and scope it out and only then would she chance taking Kate.

As soon as her marking was finished, she informed Filius of her departure, kissed her wife and left the Castle for Muggle Oxford.

It was a beautiful little restaurant, set alone at the end of a high street. There seemed to be a few people that wandered past and looked at the menu in the window but as it was a Tuesday, there wasn't much activity. She stood watching for a while longer before she too, walked up and read the menu, looking through the glass at the few late-lunchers sipping their wines. Her wand was in the pocket of the muggle-style coat she'd donned and she took a deep breath and walked inside. The atmosphere was lovely and relaxed and wasn't noisy or excitable like a lot of other restaurants she'd been to. She was greeted by a beautiful man, much younger than her, who wore an easy smile and gushed when he saw her.

"Oh wow," he squeaked before he shook his head and stood up straight. "You'll have to forgive me, but it's like the Queen herself just stepped inside." Minerva blinked. "I won't flit about you like an idiot, but I'm so very glad you came."

"I -"

"This must feel weird. I know who you are, you don't know who I am," he smiled. "Sam Rayburn is my husband," the man grinned. "I know all about you. But don't worry, I'm under incredibly strict instructions not to tell him anything at all. We all know he's the Queen bee of gossip. Your secret is safe with me."

She blinked.

"Mr Rayburn?" She shook herself out of the shock. "I'm so sorry. What is your name."

"I'm Matt," he grinned. "See?"

He stepped behind a desk and pulled open a drawer, showing her a Wizarding photo of him and, yes, Mr Rayburn from Hufflepuff - who graduated a few years before Hermione had started - twirling around in the snow.

"Well, then it is a pleasure to meet you, Matthew."

"Oh, she even speaks my name like royalty," he gushed. Ordinarily, it would have annoyed her, but she could only chuckle. He was incredibly easy to talk to. "Would you like to try some food? A glass of wine? I won't make you stay if you don't want to."

"I -" She was usually much less accepting of all of this sort of thing, but the idea of bringing Kate here for a beautiful dinner was too good to pass up. "I honestly won't need to. I'm looking forward to it," she grinned. "Thank you for your welcome. I do wonder -"

"I won't ever tell," he smirked, locking his lips comically.

"Alright," she chuckled. "Might we have a table for 8?"

"For you, I'd clear the restaurant."

"Don't," she laughed. "But I am looking forward to it."

He nodded and she left, her mind spinning with possibilities and mysteries.