It was Sunday night and Albus was giving the weekend one last hurrah, playing poker in the dungeons at Horace Slughorn's Head of House quarters. Albus wouldn't typically be friends with a man like Slughorn - social climbing, slimy, a Slytherin - but beggars can't be choosers and he was the only professor within a thirty year age range. They shared a bottle of mead and jokingly teased each other as the game progressed.
Knowing Slughorn was recently divorced, Albus suggested he go on a date with the matronly Madam Olympia, current barmaid of Three Broomsticks. Slughorn scrunched his nose in disgust. "Alby, Alby I know my standards are low and options here are close-to-none but OLYMPIA? We can't all be the source of every female student's affection."
It was true, everyone had a crush on the young Transfigurations Professor. And over the last month, it had become increasingly obvious. Fifth-year girls giggled and whispered to each other about Albus when his back was turned in class, trying to focus on teaching them a lesson. He received love letters slid under his classroom door. Albus, of course, found this nothing more than a nuisance and was assured that his celebrity status would eventually wane away. Allegedly, Filius was once known as the hot teacher, and told Albus of how students would faint at the mere sight of him walking the corridors, but Albus found this very hard to believe. "I know Horace - it's a pain, believe me. I'm just trying to teach, not become walking eye candy for many witches and wizards alike to fawn over!"
Horace smirked, "Oh really? There isn't even one student in particular you're interested in? I've seen the way you and the McGonagall girl roam the halls together, chat in your office late after classes, you cheer her on in Quidditch games. I can't even say I blame you - she is quite the looker!"
Albus felt both alarmed that his feelings were exposed and disgusted with Horace for commenting on her body, especially since Horace would've known Minerva as a child. "Gods no! Why would you even suggest that, Horace? Do you know how much trouble I could get in if a rumor like that flew around?"
Horace sobered up quickly. "Albus, I am so sorry - I was completely joking. You know I'm the most observant person at this school by far. I know you're an absolute professional. But hey, even if you weren't, your secret is safe with me," he claimed with a wink.
Albus just felt disgusted by the whole event and bid Horace goodnight - that would be the last poker night the two men shared for a while. He stormed off to his private rooms near Gryffindor commons.
Inside the common room, Pomona, Rolanda, and Minerva were drinking a bottle of cheap firewhisky and tipsily chatting about the latest drama in their lives. Pomona, having just got back together with her ex boyfriend Alastor Moody for the upteenth time, fawned about how he was the one this time, she was sure. Pomona was convinced that they were going to get married after graduation, him an Auror and she a gardener. The other girls weren't so convinced. Rolanda, not overly interested in matters of the heart, shared with her friends the secret that she'd signed to play professionally with the Holyhead Harpies upon graduation. The three celebrated this wonderful news and all poured themselves another shot.
"Eh, and what about you, Minnny? What's new in your life? You've been so busy with Transfigurations, we never see you!" exclaimed Rolanda.
It was true. Minerva spent nearly half her week with Albus - from TA work in the mornings, to Animagus trainings every Saturday, to staying after her class to speak with him about life, her future plans, his work in the War - Minerva had grown increasingly close to the professor. She knew their relationship was not like any other teacher and student's. There was no way he looked at any other girl like her - Albus always made her feel like whatever she had to say was the most important thing in the world. Albus wanted to know more about her family - her muggle father, her rambunctious younger brothers, her farm in Scotland. He always took her arm when walking to the lake, when opening doors for her, she could swear he took a moment to breathe her in. They constantly brushed fingertips when grading papers together. There was a certain intimacy between them which bordered flirtation. She knew Albus must've been interested in her, or at least found her pretty, funny, and sharp, but she also knew he'd never make the first move as he was a professional and a good man. Thinking about all of this, plus the fact that she was drunk, led her to confess to her best friends.
"Okay ladies, I know I was determined at the beginning of this year simply to find a date to the Yule Ball, but, oh dear this is embarrassing, I believe I've developed a bit of a crush on Professor Dumbledore. His office is where I've been spending so much of my time this past month since we're working together. Obviously nothing is going to come of it, and I'm only telling you both because you're my best friends in the world. I mean it - especially to you Pomona- you cannot open your mouth about this at all!"
"Oh my god Minerva, only you and the entire school! Its not even a big deal at all!" Pomona huffed.
"Its… different," said Minerva. "It's not just that I think he's cute or the appeal of him being the professor. I genuinely think we have a lot in common and a genuine connection."
Rolanda's eyes narrowed, "Wait… are you asking us for help, Minny? You want us to help you shag the professor? Of course! This is the most exciting thing to happen to the wizarding world since the Cannons won their last cup a millennia ago!"
The girls spent the rest of the night giving Minerva flirting advice, picking out outfits for her that showed a bit more skin than usual, and joking around about how this was the fact Minerva was top of the class. She knew that it was all in good fun and honestly felt relieved she told her friends about this attraction - it was getting unbearable to daydream about Dumbledore all day and not have anyone to confide in.
It was the last Quidditch match of the year on this crisp October Saturday morning - Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw. The cup all came down to this, as Slytherin was winning now but if Gryffindor could pull ahead and beat Ravenclaw, they would be the champions. Minerva stretched on the pitch in a circle with the rest of the team. She searched the stands for one man in particular. Minerva saw Poppy and Alastor making out in the corner, a slew of Slytherins praying for a Ravenclaw win, and finally saw Albus sitting alone, the wind blowing his Gryffindor scarf and increasingly long beard. Albus was watching her intensely, and upon their eyes meeting, he waved and mouthed good luck. Minerva was so pleased that he was in the audience as she'd worried he would be too preoccupied with his transfigurations work or that he might be called to battle any minute. She hadn't heard much about either the wizarding or muggle wars lately and felt lucky that they'd had this month long reprieve.
Rolanda called the team to attention. "Get off yer arses Gryffindor! We have a championship to win!" Minerva quickly broke eye contact with Albus and rose up to her starting position on the pitch, determined to impress him.
The game passed quickly. Gryfindor held a comfortable but not certain lead at 130-60 and Minerva flitted about, aiming to throw the quaffle into Ravenclaw's hoop and score her 5th goal of the match. Then everything was a blur as she felt herself knocked off her broom, freefalling hundreds of slowed as her body hurtled to the ground - Minerva briefly glimpsed the crowd gazing on in shock. She may have hallucinated, but swore she saw Albus hurdle the fence and rush towards her before she blacked out completely.
The next thing Minerva remembered was hazilly awaking in a bed in the hospital ward. She blinked a few times and began to survey her surroundings. Nearly a dozen bouquets sat beside her bed and importantly, so did the Quidditch Cup trophy. Thank gods that Gryffindor won, she thought. Pomona and Rolanda were chatting away at the table near her bed, oblivious to the fact that Minerva was wide awake. "Girls, who do I need to confront for fouling me off my broomstick?" Minerva queried, suddenly furious as she recalled what happened.
"Oh Minny! I am SO GLAD that you're alive! We thought we lost you, we really did! It was absolute madness, that bastard Lee Prezbo in Ravenclaw crashed into you! He swore it was an accident but it was obviously a disqualifying foul. Meanwhile, you plummeted to the ground, I swear we all thought you were a goner. But you know who rushed to your aid? DUMBLEDORE! He sprinted faster than I've ever seen a man, instantly approaching you, casting healing charms, making sure you were breathing. He insisted on carrying you to the Hospital Wing himself, wouldn't let anyone touch you, not even the healer Madam Blackmar. It was sooo romantic!" Poppy gave Minerva the play-by-play.
Rolanda interrupted, ever so focused on her love of the sport, "Before we get into all the mushy details, I want you to know how the Quidditch match went down. Your getting fouled actually sealed the deal for us. With Prezbo ejected from the game, we easily found the snitch and won the game. HOUSE CUP CHAMPS! All thanks to you and a few broken ribs!"
Minerva, with her dry wit, told them, "I'm glad I could help. Anyways, you mentioned Albus was concerned about me? Really?"
"No shite he was concerned! That man has stood vigil over you night and day for the past 48 hours! It's Monday afternoon now and the only reason he left is to teach class. In fact, he told us to tell him the second you woke up - I'll go get him." Rolanda headed off.
"Oh Minerva, you don't get it, that man likes you. Like, he LIKES you. See these flowers? The bouquet of sunflowers is from him, the bouquet of lilies, and the bouquet of roses - he didn't know what you preferred so he got them all from Hogsmeade! And then he sat here and he read you some of your favorite books - literally the entirety of Hogwarts: A History. Not my cuppa tea but he stayed here with you all night when me and Rolanda got some sleep because MAdam Blackmar shooed us out! He did wayyy more for you than any professor, even a Head of House would do. The man is head over heels, Minny!"
Minerva, secretly pleased, told Pomona, "Ahh that is very doubtful. He has the kindest soul - the man would do this for literally any student. A couple flowers and a book does not equal romantic attraction" Minerva quickly shut up as Albus rushed into the room, a beaming smile on his face as he came to her bedside.
"Minerva! Oh my dear you had us quite worried. Remembering he was in the presence of students, he asserted. "Miss Hooch and Miss Sprout, you've been incredible friends but as your Head of House, I must advise you to go to class. Except mine - I've cancelled my classes for the rest of the day to ensure that Miss McGonagall is discharged from the hospital safely."
The girls gave Minerva a knowing glance and obeyed his orders, knowing they'd see Minerva again tonight. Now that the two of them were alone, Albus sat down at the foot of her bed as she shifted over to make more room for him. "Is it true you carried me all the way here? You could've just used magic!" Minerva teased.
"I wanted to make sure you were alright and nothing else would physically happen to you on the way here. Minerva - you truly gave me a scare. I can't imagine teaching here at Hogwarts without you. You're the brightest witch and most competent teacher I've ever worked with. The first-years absolutely adore you. By the end of the year, you'll make an incredible Animagus that I've had the pleasure of training."
Minerva felt slightly hurt. "Your concern was purely academic?" She knew that the moment was right for her to reach for his hand. "I kind of thought that there was something else here, between us."
Albus sighed - he had a feeling this was coming. The last month had been a time of inner turmoil for him as he'd grown closer to the girl. They talked about everything together - their dreams and aspirations, their family troubles, anything from mundane to profound. He knew that their conversations were chock full of flirty banter - even in class, if it wasn't for the obliviousness of their age, the first years might be able to tell. But Albus also knew it was wrong. He couldn't risk his job, he couldn't pursue something with an 18 year old girl who still needed to go out and explore the world. It was of no importance that she was as brilliant, level headed, focused as women twice her age. That being said, he wouldn't lie to the girl. Albus glanced around to make sure the healer wasn't around and touched her face, pushing back a tendril of her hair. "Minerva, you were completely correct. I'm attracted to you, I really can't deny that, but I also know that we are treading an incredibly morally ambiguous line. If only you were older, if only we went to Hogwarts together…"
"But we do go to Hogwarts together!" she protested. You and I are the perfect match here in this castle. To deny that, to deny the chance of happiness we might have, is absurd. You're brilliant, Albus. It makes no logical sense for us to not pursue this." The two were still holding hands when Madam Blackmar came out of nowhere.
Albus recoiled from the bed. "Madam Blackmar! Miss McGonagall just woke up! I was checking her temperature and it seems perfect to me!"
"Oh I'll be the judge of that," Blackmar rolled her eyes. "If I'm not mistaken, Albus, you were here quite a few times back in your quidditch days. Albus patiently waited for hours as Minerva went through the check-out process. By the time she was released from the Hospital Ward, it was well into nighttime.
"You must be famished, Minerva! Dinner ended an hour ago but how about I take you into Hogsmeade? We can surely make an exception for the Head Girl to lead the castle grounds. And I think you and I have a lot to discuss."
Minerva and Albus headed out towards Hogsmeade. Leaving the castle, he inserted his arm through hers and guided her along the path to the village.