The next few weeks flew by, with Minerva and Albus in relative bliss, giddy off sneaking kisses in the corridor and knowing winks and glances during class. Their relationship slowly and innocently progressed - holding hands near the lake during their early morning classes, having afternoon tea following transfigurations class, and really just getting to know each other on a deeply personal level.
One afternoon tea, with Minerva cuddled up near Albus on his sofa in his office (the doors properly charmed and locked, of course) Albus explained more of the War to Minerva. "My dear, its time I tell you the full extent of my involvements with this dark wizard, the reason Aberforth is so cold to me. The man I once knew went by the name of Gellert Grindelwald - he was my childhood best friend, and eventually even a lover."
Minerva wasn't shocked by Albus's apparent bisexuality - it was both very common and accepted in the Wizarding World. Hearing about any former lover made her bristle a bit with apprehension but she nodded, and he continued.
"Gellert and I met in my youth. As teenagers, we shared two months of insanity together. He was an intellectual equal and he introduced me to exciting and complex ideas. I was madly in love, Minerva, and it clouded my judgement. For all of his intelligence and ambition, Gellert was and still is a deeply flawed, cruel man with a superiority complex. I realized this and should've immediately distanced myself but instead I agreed to help him establish a new world order of wizards over Muggles. My reasoning was that the irrational phobias of Muggles led to the death of my mother, the imprisonment of my father, and injury of my sister. Abe found out my plans and he began to duel me and Gellert, sickened by the whole thing. Things turned deadly as Gellert attempted to use an Unforgivable on my very brother - naturally I switched over to Abe's side. Somehow, in the melee, my precious sister Arieana was killed. I will never forgive myself. Abe will never forgive me. And Gellert still lives."
"So you loved him, Albus? Do you feel the same way about me than you do him? Was he smarter? What caused you to lose your morals for two months, your sense of direction?"
"Minerva, I could never lie to you - I did love him. But it was a dark love, a love for power. Everything I feel for you fills me with joy and light. It isn't the same at all. And you, my dear, are a far better witch than he ever was a wizard, in every sense of the word. Grindlewald has now amassed quite a following and power - no doubt you heard of the Muggle killings and terrorism on the mass-slaughters coincide with Hitler and the rise of the Nazis - an odd merging of evil Muggle and wizard , due to my knowledge of Grindlewald and superior magical powers, I am heading the resistance now. But there is a caveat - Gellert and I made an Unbreakable Vow to never duel each other. Minerva - if you aren't already disgusted by me enough to leave, it is also very possible that I die in our eventual confrontation. I can't keep just fighting his followers forever."
Minerva was on the verge of tears and broke down, sobbing. "Oh, Albus! It was a mistake! Please don't be so harsh on yourself. You are a good man, the kindest man I know. Your teaching is full of empathy and compassion. Your involvement in the war has involved an immeasurable amount of lives. And every day I know you, I grow more and more impressed, obsessed, dare I say even in love? I don't want to lose you. I won't lose you. You aren't going to die."
Albus stroked Minerva's hair as she sat pressed against him, taking in his familiar scent. "What did I do to deserve such a patient witch?" he asked to no one in particular. "Minerva, I have reason to believe the next fight between the resistance and Grindelwald's people will occur sometime this week. It is of upmost importance to me that you are prepared to lead in my absence." He asked so much of this seventeen year old girl and yet she took it all in stride.
"Of course, Albus. I am simply honored that you trust me." Changing the mood, Minerva straddled his lap and gave him one last, passionate kiss, truly the furthest their relationship had gone, and left with a mischievous smile. "Can't be late to lead the Prefects meeting, of course!"
Albus sat in his office dumbfounded for a spell. Did Minerva really just hear his deepest, darkest confessions, learn about his first and strongest love, and then tell him that she was falling in love with him? He deserved to be hexed to oblivion, ousted as a fraud - gods that witch was a gift from heaven!
November was always a particularly lovely time at Hogwarts with preparations for the Harvest Festival underway. In fact, the festival was tomorrow and Minerva, Pomona, and Rolanda sat in the commons after dinner, lazily working on their History of Magic scrolls for Professor Binns. Suddenly, Professor Dumbledore burst through into the common room, the Fat Lady so intimidated by his demeanor she swung open without a word. Now, it wasn't uncommon for a Head of House to be in his commons, especially not Dumbledore, who celebrated with the Gryffindors after a Quidditch win and who regularly hosted teas for the students on Sunday afternoons. But to barge in unannounced late in the evening shocked many students, the first years looking up on him in near fear.
"Miss McGonagall, I need to have a word with you immediately." Albus demanded. Gasps and whispers filled the room as the Gryffindors speculated and gossiped as to what Head Girl Minerva could've possibly done. Pomona and Rolanda gave her knowing, supportive glances as she rose up to follow him. The two girls couldn't possibly know about the war Albus was engaged in but rather figured it was a lovers quarrel. Minerva would have to straighten them out when she got back, but honestly Minerva wasn't quite sure what was going on as well.
When they entered the empty corridors, Albus grabbed her hand and guided her toward his private rooms. Minerva hadn't been yet as their relationship was following a respectable pattern of courtship for the time. "Albus! Slow down! What in gods earth is the matter?"
"You know, Minerva." he stated seriously. "It's time. I've been called into battle, early tomorrow morning in the Black Forest. Not with Grindelwald but with his legion - they've grown to the largest mass yet and there aren't many of us against him." Albus took her into his rooms.
Minerva swallowed. She'd been preparing for this ever since their conversation a week ago. She wasn't nervous about taking on teaching responsibilities, rather, she didn't ever wnat to lose him or even see him injured. Ever so practical, her first query was about logistics. "And what did you tell Headmaster Dippet in order for me to teach classes?"
"He knows, Minerva. The only other soul in this castle. Upon hiring me, he knew of my position fighting in the war. Armando is a good man, albeit too morally weak to fight Grindelwald directly, but he completely understood my obligations and is a supporter. Our official story is I had a family emergency elsewhere. If all goes well, I'll be home in 48 hours."
"Not if Albus, when. You will be coming back to your life here, your students, me. How long until you leave?"
"We have the night. Well, I have the night. There's no possible way that you can stay the night, not with all of Gryffindor gossiping."
Minerva's lip quivered, but she was crafty and determined. "Nonsense, Albus. I'll head back to the commons, tell anyone who asks that you had to leave for a family situation, and return here in a few hours once everyone falls asleep."
Albus chuckled. "This is why you're the one, Minerva." He grabbed her by the waist before she left and pulled her into an embrace. Minerva buried herself in Albus's robes - now that they had only a few hours together, she wanted to remember every single detail of him before he left. She breathed in his scent, of lemondrops and sandalwood, and gripped onto every inch of his silken purple garments.
Moments later, she reluctantly broke away and left for the common room, marching in to dozens of curious eyes, head held high. Minerva ignored the stares and headed towards Pomona and Rolanda. She told them that Professor Dumbledore had a family emergency and she would have to be taking over classes for the next few days. The girls seemed doubtful but didn't press her, noticing Minerva's distress, and soon the commons cleared out as it grew nearer to midnight.
It was half past one when Minerva finally made it back to Albus's quarters. Minerva felt nervous - was Albus wanting to have sex tonight? He must've known she was a virgin - her inexperience was embarrassingly obvious whenever they made out or even were on the verge of moving further sexually. Regardless, she wore her skimpiest silk, cream teddy under her robes and now was regretting how cold she felt in the stone walls of the castle. She softly knocked at his door a few times. Albus quickly and quietly opened the door and guided her inside before they might be seen.
Minerva mustered up a soft, brave smile. "Hey, you."
Albus answered, "Welcome back to my humble home! Can I get you anything before bed - a glass of wine? Here - let me take your robes!" He let out a soft whistle once he saw what Minerva was wearing underneath, or lack thereof. He hadn't seen this much of her before. "Oh, Minerva. You are absolutely gorgeous - every single part of you. And Minerva - let's sit down dear - I'm not incorrect in assuming you're a virgin, right?" She blushed and nodded. "Oh Minerva, we really can take this slow. I want to be sure that you're sure. I'm a grown man, I can control myself, and I'm not going to die tomorrow. We will have plenty of time to consummate our relationship and I want you to remember all of it."
Minerva felt relieved. She knew she was ready to have sex and knew she was ready to lose it to Albus. Hell, she was a smart witch, she knew virginity was a made up concept. And yet, she was anxious about the entire affair. "Albus, you do need some rest before tomorrow. Can we go to bed?"
Albus showed her his bedroom, a magnificent four post bed with crimson sheets hallmarked the room. He picked her up and placed her gently on the bed, before following suit, and the two soon nestled together as if they'd been doing this for decades. Minerva and Albus quickly fell asleep - it was the best sleep either had in a long time.