Albus finished getting ready for his first lesson of the day with ten minutes to spare before his seventh year Gryffindors were due to arrive. Sitting back in his chair he did his best to prepare himself mentally for these students. Well, one student in particular. Minerva McGonagall.
It made him laugh quietly to think that he had to steady himself to handle a class with Minerva. Usually, the classes that tested him were the ones with troublemakers, which Minerva was hardly. But she wore him out in a completely different way.
Minerva was the kind of student that kept a teacher sharp. She paid attention to lectures, catching all errors. She asked questions, sometimes ones that even the teacher wouldn't be able to answer exactly. Of course, she did this in all her classes, but even more so in his, as Transfiguration was her forte.
Albus sighed. If only that were the only reason a class with Minerva tried wore him out. The Transfiguration professor had been developing romantic feelings toward his star pupil for quite some time. It was rather draining for him to have to chastise himself practically every time he looked at her.
Albus thought back to the beginning of Minerva's sixth year. That was when he had become aware of her presence as a woman. She had come to him, requesting his guidance in becoming an Animagus, and he was only too willing to help. Minerva was a natural at Transfiguration, a dedicated student, (at the time) a Prefect heading towards Head Girl position, and one of the cleverest witches Albus had ever met, despite her young age. He jumped at the chance to train her.
The two had struck up a friendship over the next two years. They spent a good deal of time together due to the Animagus lessons, and they frequently had tea and occasionally took lunch or dinner together in Albus's office. Minerva felt comfortable enough to confide in him, and he found he could do the same with her, something he hadn't been able to do with anyone up to that point.
As their friendship grew, Albus began to feel romantic feelings as well as friendly ones. While he was a strong, moralistic man, he was a man nonetheless, and Minerva was a beautiful, highly intelligent young woman, and he could help being very attracted to her, or—dare he admit? —in love with her? He had never met anyone like Minerva McGonagall.
She's a student, you old pervert, a voice sounded in his head. You're her mentor, she trusts you. It would be wrong.
Sighing again, Albus tried to focus his mind on the friendship between him and Minerva. They were close, and that was all he could ask for, he supposed. But how he longed for the friendly hugs and innocent touches to turn into tight embraces and passionate kisses. He could almost hear her sweet voice gasping out his name in ecstasy. "Oh Albus…"
"Albus?" Or maybe he could actually hear that sweet voice. Minerva was standing in front of him, looking slightly amused at catching him daydreaming. "Are you all right?"
Albus blushed, grateful of the Auburn beard hiding his cheeks. "Yes, I'm fine. What can I help you with?"
Minerva answered, still smiling. "Well, I was wondering if you had the time for an extra Animagus lesson tonight? I know you wanted me to take a break, but I really think it would be best to keep at it, since I seem to have hit my stride these past weeks."
Albus couldn't help smile at her eagerness, but hesitated all the same. "I'm not sure, Minerva, you have a lot on your plate right now, with the last Quidditch match coming up soon, not to mention N.E.W.T.s. Don't you want to take tonight to study and practice?"
"Ravenclaw booked the pitch for tonight—and they're going to need all the practice they can get before they face us—" Albus smiled "—and tonight is my night to study Defense Against the Dark Arts and Transfiguration, which I can do before a lesson. Besides," she added, smiling winningly, "think how this lesson will benefit my N.E.W.T. scores. If becoming the second youngest registered Animagus ever doesn't earn me an Outstanding, I don't know what will."
Albus smiled warmly. As the other students started filtering into the classroom, he adopted a more professional manner. "All right, Miss McGonagall. Shall we meet here at 7:00?"
"Yes, thank you, Professor." Minerva smiled at him again before taking her seat with the rest of the class.
I know I said I wouldn't ramble any more, but I have to thank my reviewers!! Especially Quof, who pointed out my mistake : ) I love you all!! Thanks so much!! And I just have to add: I passed my driver's license test yesterday!! Woohoo!