Chapter 3:

I've GOT to tell you something

The holidays were over and Minerva had just finished her last lesson of the first day. She was inside her classroom, grading some papers. She looked up when Susan came dashing into the room.

'All right', Susan began, 'I've tried, but I can't keep this to myself, even if Jane is going to kill me'.

'Why would she do that?' Minerva asked surprised.

Susan looked at her and said "I need to tell you something. I saw it".

***

Meanwhile there were more people on their way to Minerva's classroom. Albus Dumbledore was watching the ceiling as he walked through the corridors. Luckily it has stopped snowing', he mussed', I hope she will join me on a walk'.

He liked spending time with her. At first he'd tried to convince himself that they were just friends, but after a while he was forced to admit that he cared more deeply for her.

Reaching the entrance of her classroom, he paused when he heard voices…

***

'That's nonsense', Minerva said, 'how can you say such a thing?'

'Minerva, I now what I saw', Susan replied.

'Well, you saw wrong'. Minerva stated firmly.

'Your feet popped up!' Susan cried, 'stop being so stubborn'.

 'I am not being stubborn!'

'Yes you are'.

'No, I'm not'.

'Yes you are'

'No, I'm not'.

'Yes you are'.

'No, I'm not'.

'Yes you ARE'.

'Stop that, Susan!'

'YOU ARE!'

'STOP it'.

'All right'.

'Fine', Minerva admitted finally, 'maybe… I do have feelings for him… but…'

'I knew it', Susan beamed, 'and I am sure he loves you too. His feet popped up as well. If you ever get married, I want to be a bridesmaid'.

***

Albus felt his stomach drop. She'd kissed someone. And she was probably going to marry him. He turned around and walked back to his office. Once he entered one of the paintings looked at him curiously. 'Did she want to join you on a walk?'

'Leave me alone!' Albus snapped back and sat down behind his desk.

The next morning, during breakfast, Minerva sat down beside him and greeted him cheerfully. But she looked at him surprised when he didn't respond. And she was even more surprised when he didn't spoke to her during the entire meal. He didn't even look at her.

I was wrong, she thought, her cheerful mood fading instantly, Susan was just babbling.

When breakfast was over, she decided to talk to him about his odd behaviour. Halfway through the corridor she catched up with him.

'Albus', she asked tentatively, 'is something wrong?'

He paused his steps and looked at her. 'No, nothing', he answered shortly and resumed walking.

'Yes there is', Minerva pressed, 'there is something wrong, I can tell from your face'.

Albus felt the anger rise inside him. 'Just mind your own business', he spat, 'don't worry about me. I dare say you will have enough to worry about the next months.

'What are you talking about?' Minerva asked, completely taken aback.

He turned around to face her, fury clear on his face. 'Don't hold me for a fool, Minerva! Do whatever you please, but don't come to me to rub in my face. You've made your choice.

'What in Merlin's name...' Minerva began, 'You are the one who is acting out of character here! I've no idea what it is your rambling on about'.

They glared at each other for a moment.

'Why didn't you tell me you are seeing someone?', Albus asked softly now.

'What?' Minerva asked totally bewildered. 'I don't... I don't have...'

But Albus stopped her. 'Why do you deny it? I've heard you say it. Can't you just be honest and tell me? Then at least I know where I stand'.

'Albus', Minerva began again, 'I've already told you that...'

But again the wizard didn't let her finish. 'Forget about it', he said coldly, 'you've been clear enough'.

And with those words, he walked away.