Once again, see the first part for the disclaimer, oh, and thank you all
for the responses. I really, really hope you like this part all you AD/MM
fans, this part's for you!!!!! (with just a little bit of angst thrown in
the middle)
Part 4
The day before Christmas.
"What are you doing?" A whispered voice asked.
"Ah!" Albus jumped out of his chair and turned around to find Minerva laughing hysterically. "That wasn't funny, I'm an old man, you could have killed me!"
"Oh, shut up, you're not old, and I would never be able to kill you." She said giving him a hug, and a small kiss on the cheek. "So are you going to dinner or stay here alone?"
"Of course I'm coming, after you my dear." He said opening the door for her He was surprised by the kiss, but was trying not to think of how much just that little gesture made him feel.
The teachers that had remained at Hogwarts for the break welcomed Minerva back like she was one of their friends, not a former student. Professors Binns and Summers were especially happy to see her, but after she had turned both of them down over the summer, they tried to keep themselves close to her, without annoying her. Of course, she notice their actions, as well as those of Albus, but what she didn't notice was Tom standing in the doorway watching her with a possessive look etched on his face.
The next day, Christmas.
"Merry Christmas." She said and placed a package in front of Albus.
"Why thank you Minerva, and here you go." He said handing her a smaller package.
"You go first." She said.
"Socks!" (ok, who didn't see that one coming?) He exclaimed holding up a pair of hand knitted dark blue wool sock with stars and moons on them.
"I remember you saying you never have enough warm socks." She said nervously. She knew he'd appreciate them, but she wasn't sure of if he would ever actually think of wearing them.
"I love them, although I might wear them out quite quickly with the chilling winter we've been having this year! Now you." He said and she slowly peeled away the paper to reveal a box. When she opened it she gasped.
"Oh, Albus, it's beautiful!" She held up a broach (you know, the one she wears in both movies)
"I though it would look good with those green robes you wore when you were teaching, do you still wear those?" He asked curiously.
"Yes, it's odd that a Gryffindor should wear green."
"But it brings out your eyes. It's a beautiful color on you." He said and she smiled and blushed a little.
"Thank you." She said quietly. "Now what shall we do for the rest of the day?" She asked in a more excited voice.
"Hm, how about we go for a carriage ride of the grounds? It did just snow last night, it should be beautiful." He suggested.
"Well then what are we still doing here?" She asked laughing. "I'll just go and get my cloak and I'll meet you in the Main Hall."
"I'll see you in a few minutes."
They spent the next few hours together, either outside in the carriage, or inside the teacher's lounge by the fire sipping coco. The other teachers joined in on there conversations every once in a while, but for the main part it was just the two of them.
A little while later.
"I had a wonderful Christmas, but I'm afraid I have to leave tomorrow afternoon."
"Yes, you still haven't visited your brother's family, have you?" Albus asked as they stood in front of the door leading to her guest room.
"No, I haven't. But they have 4 children, so I think they had a busy enough time yesterday, I would have just added to the chaos." She said smiling.
"4 children? I thought he only had the two boys?" Albus asked. He had taught Minerva's brothers, both of them at older than her by at least 5 years.
"Oh, no, James and Natalie just had twin girls 2 months ago, I didn't tell you?" He shook his head, "I'm sorry, it must have slipped my mind."
"4 children, and all under the age of 5, right?" She nodded in confirmation.
"I don't know how he does it." Minerva laughed, "Older children I can handle, and even the younger ones for a little while, but taking care of them constantly? I don't think I'll ever have children, I wouldn't know what to do." Albus frowned, he had never seen her doubt herself like that before.
"Minerva, surely you don't mean that, you would make a wonderful mother, I guarantee it"
Minerva laughed, "Oh, really, Albus, it's the 40's, the 1940's, woman don't have to have children to be happy you know. Besides, I can't have children if I don't get married, and I doubt that will ever happen, I'm a very particular woman."
"I'm sure you'll find the perfect man someday, Minerva. A woman like you must have men throwing themselves at you."
"Unfortunately Professors Binns and Summers are not my type. Ahem, well, it's late, Albus, I should really be getting to bed." She said, trying to relieve the suddenly heavy, serious atmosphere that surrounded them.
"Yes, it's quite late isn't it? Goodnight, Minerva. Sweet dreams." He said but hesitated and then kissed her cheek before leaving.
Minerva touched her hand to her cheek and smiled. She turned around and was just about to enter her room and go to sleep when a voice stopped her.
"I didn't know you were coming back." She turned back around.
"I didn't know I was coming back until Albus invited me about a month ago." Tom cringed when she used Dumbledore's first name. "I really should be getting to bed, it's late. It was nice to see you again, goodnight, Tom."
"Do you and Professor Dumbledore keep in touch often?" He asked, even though he knew the answer. He had also made it his business to keep an eye on her the entire time she had been here, including her talk with Dumbledore just before he made his presence known.
She stopped and turned back around, "Yes, he's worried about Grindelwald attacking Beauxbatons, so we keep in touch so he knows I'm still safe."
"He's worried about you, I'm surprised, I thought that it was unprofessional for a teacher, especially one of the opposite sex and so much older, to get involved with a student like that. Of course, I also thought that you were smarter than to actually be taken in by the likes of him." He said almost bitterly.
"Albus and I are friends, and I am no longer his student, now I am going to bed." She said shortly and went into her room without saying goodnight.
Minerva returned to Beauxbatons a few days later, after visiting her family. Two and a half weeks later Albus had still not received a letter from her and he was getting worried, until a soft tapping on his window calmed him down. "It's just late." He said taking the letter and opening it to reveal a very sloppy, very short letter.
~~~~~~
Beauxbatons is under attack, it's just begun, and I hope Horus makes it to you. Rumors say that Grindelwald is somewhere near, but not fighting himself. I pray that we can hold them off long enough for the aurors to arrive. I will try and write again as soon as I can. If I don't, please don't blame yourself, remember, I chose to come here, and not even you could have stopped me. Minerva
~~~~~~
Albus' heart stopped, she was in trouble. Within a few seconds he was in the headmasters office arranging things so he could go and help fight with the aurors to defend Beauxbatons. Dippet, of course, approved and wished him well.
Albus met up with one of his friends, Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody and they, along with a few other aurors were off.
They arrived in the middle of a forest, a little ways away from the school.
"We need to find Grindelwald, if we kill him, it will discourage his followers." Albus said.
"Yeah, but where? He's always at the battles, but he's always hidden." One of the aurors said looking around for possible attackers.
Albus tried to think, he had only been in that area a few times before but, except for the forest, which wasn't that big, it was pretty much open areas. "Wait, I know. Alastor, gather as many aurors as possible I think I know where he might be."
"Where?"
"Minerva told me in one of her letters about an underground tunnel that wizards built and used during the French Revolution. It's hidden underground, and not many people even remember it's there, but she told me exactly where it was, so the next time I came here I'd be able to find it even if she wasn't able to take me there." Albus explained quickly.
Recognition crossed one of the auror's faces, "Yes! I remember visiting there when I was younger."
He told Alastor where it was.
"Be careful." Alastor called. He would gather some reinforcement, and inform the head auror about it, and Albus was going with another auror to scout ahead and see if his hunch was right.
Albus encountered several opposing wizards, most of them were very young, but he and the auror stunned them easily and eventually made it to where the entrance was supposed to be. Sure enough, they heard voices. "Yes, General, I understand." General, that's what his followers addressed Grindelwald as. They hid to the side as a man came out.
Should I wait? But I can't, Minerva's life is at stake. Albus thought to himself
"We can blast our way through to underneath the school, and then attack from within" Another voice, presumably Grindlewald's said from within the tunnel.
"We're working on it now, General."
"Good, now go, I don't want anyone to get near this tunnel."
"Sir, yes Sir." Another man exited the tunnel.
He's going to attack them from underneath, Dammit where's Alastor! Albus looked around and spotted him. He was still quite a ways off, and then was suddenly ambushed by a bunch of Grindelwald's followers. Dammit, I can't wait for them to get through, I have to stop him now.
"I'm going in, keep watch in case anyone else tries to come in." The auror, despite his better judgment, nodded as Albus said stepped out of his hiding place and creping into the tunnel. The auror sighed and turned around, blocking the door and watching out for anyone who might try and return to Grindlewald.
Alastor was looking towards the tunnel, There's no way we're going to get him now. Just then he saw Albus slip inside. Dammit Albus! You're gonna get yourself killed.
He continued fighting, watching as comrades and enemies alike fell for what seemed like hours, but was probably closer to 30 minutes. Suddenly there was an explosion that came from the tunnel, and it was enough to distract the enemies and give the aurors the advantage. Another half hour later and the remaining aurors made there way into the tunnel.
"ALBUS!! DAMMIT, MAN, YOU BETTER BE ALIVE, OR I'M GONNA KILL YOU!!!" Alastor screamed.
"You do realize that makes no sense right?" Came a voice in the corner. Alastor pointed his wand towards the voice, but lowered it.
"Albus! What the hell happened?!?!"
"He's dead." Albus said limping towards Alastor and pointing to Grindelwald, who was slumped against the wall.
The war was over, and good had won. After hearing of their leader's defeat, many surrendered, and the aurors, as well as Albus were taken to the school's infirmary.
"You killed Grindelwald, you're a hero!" Shouted one teacher when Albus limped inside. Apparently word spread fast about what had happened.
"Come this way, I'll have you fixed up in no time." A mediwitch told Albus.
He laid down on the bed and let her examine his leg, "Do you work here?"
"Yes, why?"
"I was wondering if you knew Minerva McGonagall."
"Who? Oh, yes, the Animagi, yes. Why?" Asked the witch without looking up from his leg.
"She's a friend of mine, and I was wondering if she was alright."
"Yes, she's fine, well, for the most part. A few scrapes and bruises, but nothing serious. She's helping Frances take care of the students."
"Frances?"
"Professor Ranney, he teaches History of Magic, they're in charge of keeping the students who are uninjured in the Main Dining Hall."
"Can you tell me how to get there?" Albus asked the witch when she finished healing his leg.
"No time, Albus, we have to go now." Moody said coming up next to him
"Now?"
"Yes, the ministry wants answers now, and from you personally. We can't waist a moment, let's go."
"But I haven't seen Minerva, yet." Alastor looked upset, but then spotted a teacher.
"You."
"Yes?" The old wizard asked with a think French accent.
"You know Minerva McGonagall?"
"Of course, she is one of my colleagues."
"Good, tell her Albus Dumbledore was here, but that he couldn't stay and see her because a friend had to drag him back to England, but that he's glad she's alright. Ok, Albus, you happy?"
"I'll do that." The wizard said and walked off. Albus nodded his thanks and then he and Alastor hurried back to the Ministry's offices.
~~~~~~
The next day Minerva was finally able to go back to her room and get some rest, something she had missed since the battle began. When she got back she noticed an owl sitting on her desk, and she immediately recognized the handwriting as Albus'. One of the fellow teachers had told her he had been there, like she didn't know that from everyone celebrating that he had defeated Grindlewald, but had continued to tell her his message. She sat down and started to read the letter.
~~~~~~
Dearest Minerva,
Please do not be upset with me for leaving without seeing you, but you can blame that on Alastor or the Ministry of Magic, but not me. I need to talk to you, I'll be at the Taillevent Restaurant at 8 o'clock on Friday. Please do me the honor of joining me for dinner.
Love, Albus
~~~~~~
Minerva sat there surprised, was something wrong? What did he need to tell her that could wait until Friday, but he couldn't tell her in a letter? She immediately sent a letter back saying that she, of course, would meet him there, but also informed him of her worries, but she received no reply back with further explanations.
Friday night
Minerva was now walking up to the muggle restaurant, where Albus was waiting for her. They were both wearing muggle evening wear suitable for the seasonal weather and for the time period. She saw him first, and immediately had to resist the urge to run into his arms and kiss him senseless. What she didn't know was that as soon as he saw her, he had to resist the same urge that she had just had.
"Minerva." He said taking one of her hands and kissing it. He couldn't help it, his eyes traveled down her, examining every curve that the dress accentuated. She noticed this and tried, but failed, to suppress the blush that started to form when he looked at her like that.
He finally tore his eyes back to her face, "You look beautiful."
She looked into his eyes, and saw something there that she hadn't seen in his eyes ever before, but for some reason it sent an excited chill down her spine. "Thank you, Albus, you look very handsome, yourself."
"Shall we?" He said motioning to the door and offering her his arm, which she gladly took as they headed inside.
They ate and talked for over an hour before she remembered what he had said in his letter.
"What did you want to talk to me about?" She asked, taking another sip of her wine.
Instead of answering, he looked over to the dance floor in the center of the room and then turned back to her with a smile, "Would you like to dance?"
"That's not what you wanted to talk to me about." She said, but then sighed when he got up and offered her his hand. "Alright, one dance, but then I want answers, Albus Dumbledore." He grinned and pulled her up.
One dance turned into 5 dances before they finally sat down again.
"You are very good at distracting me." Minerva laughed as they sat down.
"Thank you." Albus said smiling. "You look so beautiful when you laugh." He said looking at her. She looked up at him and felt a pang in her heart at all of the emotions she saw in his eyes.
He motioned for a waiter to give them the bill, which he promptly paid, and then turned to her, "Would you like to go for a walk?"
"Alright." She said, still not understanding what was going on.
They ended up on one of the bridges over the Seine River. She was looking into the river when she felt his hand brushing a stray piece of hair behind her ear. She closed her eyes and leaned into his touch.
"Minerva?" His voice was soft and she didn't open her eyes.
"Hmm?"
"Why weren't Binns and Summers your type?"
She opened her eyes and looked over at him, "Because I'm in love with someone else." She answered quietly.
He leaned closer to her, "Who?"
She paused and looked deep into his eyes, "You."
That's all Albus needed to hear before his lips were on hers. The kiss was like what she had heard, it lasted for what seemed forever, but it wasn't long enough.
When he pulled back he looked down at her, waiting for either acceptance or regret for what they just did.
She opened her eyes and found him looking down at her and she smiled. "You have no idea how long I've waited for that to happen."
"You have no idea how long I've been trying to fight the urge to do that." He said stroking her cheek gently.
"What happens now?" She asked softly. She didn't want to ask the question, but she knew she had to.
"Now.it's up to you." He said, "What ever you want I'll do."
"I want to be with you." She said and he smiled, but then she continued, "But I want to continue to teach."
Albus frowned, he was thinking that the problem would be if she wanted to actually be with him and be public about their relationship, but he had forgotten about her teaching ambitions.
He stepped back from her and sighed, "So what do you want to do?"
"We could try a long distance relationship, at least, until I can get a teaching position at Hogwarts." She said looking down at the stones beneath her feet.
He smiled and placed a hand under her chin, forcing her to look at him and not the ground. "Hopefully that time won't be too far away."
She smiled back at him and then frowned, "Albus, what if I don't get a position at Hogwarts?"
He laughed, "Really, Minerva, as soon as a position is available Hogwarts will be dragging you back there by your hair." She smiled and they kissed again, forgetting the world around them and focusing on each other for that perfect moment.
End of Part 4
Ok, just a little note about the 'tunnels built during the French Revolution', that was totally made up (or if there were tunnels I didn't know about them) and to answer any question about why didn't they just apparate during the Revolution, I'm guessing since it's so controlled during the 1990's/2000 era, it was probably to difficult for many witches and wizards to do back then. Oh, and the Taillevent is a real restaurant in Paris, but I don't know if it was around in the 1940's, so I'm pretending it was (lol). Oh, and I pretty much know what's going to happen in the next chapter, and let's just say there's more AD/MM goodness, but TOM at the end (hehe)
Part 4
The day before Christmas.
"What are you doing?" A whispered voice asked.
"Ah!" Albus jumped out of his chair and turned around to find Minerva laughing hysterically. "That wasn't funny, I'm an old man, you could have killed me!"
"Oh, shut up, you're not old, and I would never be able to kill you." She said giving him a hug, and a small kiss on the cheek. "So are you going to dinner or stay here alone?"
"Of course I'm coming, after you my dear." He said opening the door for her He was surprised by the kiss, but was trying not to think of how much just that little gesture made him feel.
The teachers that had remained at Hogwarts for the break welcomed Minerva back like she was one of their friends, not a former student. Professors Binns and Summers were especially happy to see her, but after she had turned both of them down over the summer, they tried to keep themselves close to her, without annoying her. Of course, she notice their actions, as well as those of Albus, but what she didn't notice was Tom standing in the doorway watching her with a possessive look etched on his face.
The next day, Christmas.
"Merry Christmas." She said and placed a package in front of Albus.
"Why thank you Minerva, and here you go." He said handing her a smaller package.
"You go first." She said.
"Socks!" (ok, who didn't see that one coming?) He exclaimed holding up a pair of hand knitted dark blue wool sock with stars and moons on them.
"I remember you saying you never have enough warm socks." She said nervously. She knew he'd appreciate them, but she wasn't sure of if he would ever actually think of wearing them.
"I love them, although I might wear them out quite quickly with the chilling winter we've been having this year! Now you." He said and she slowly peeled away the paper to reveal a box. When she opened it she gasped.
"Oh, Albus, it's beautiful!" She held up a broach (you know, the one she wears in both movies)
"I though it would look good with those green robes you wore when you were teaching, do you still wear those?" He asked curiously.
"Yes, it's odd that a Gryffindor should wear green."
"But it brings out your eyes. It's a beautiful color on you." He said and she smiled and blushed a little.
"Thank you." She said quietly. "Now what shall we do for the rest of the day?" She asked in a more excited voice.
"Hm, how about we go for a carriage ride of the grounds? It did just snow last night, it should be beautiful." He suggested.
"Well then what are we still doing here?" She asked laughing. "I'll just go and get my cloak and I'll meet you in the Main Hall."
"I'll see you in a few minutes."
They spent the next few hours together, either outside in the carriage, or inside the teacher's lounge by the fire sipping coco. The other teachers joined in on there conversations every once in a while, but for the main part it was just the two of them.
A little while later.
"I had a wonderful Christmas, but I'm afraid I have to leave tomorrow afternoon."
"Yes, you still haven't visited your brother's family, have you?" Albus asked as they stood in front of the door leading to her guest room.
"No, I haven't. But they have 4 children, so I think they had a busy enough time yesterday, I would have just added to the chaos." She said smiling.
"4 children? I thought he only had the two boys?" Albus asked. He had taught Minerva's brothers, both of them at older than her by at least 5 years.
"Oh, no, James and Natalie just had twin girls 2 months ago, I didn't tell you?" He shook his head, "I'm sorry, it must have slipped my mind."
"4 children, and all under the age of 5, right?" She nodded in confirmation.
"I don't know how he does it." Minerva laughed, "Older children I can handle, and even the younger ones for a little while, but taking care of them constantly? I don't think I'll ever have children, I wouldn't know what to do." Albus frowned, he had never seen her doubt herself like that before.
"Minerva, surely you don't mean that, you would make a wonderful mother, I guarantee it"
Minerva laughed, "Oh, really, Albus, it's the 40's, the 1940's, woman don't have to have children to be happy you know. Besides, I can't have children if I don't get married, and I doubt that will ever happen, I'm a very particular woman."
"I'm sure you'll find the perfect man someday, Minerva. A woman like you must have men throwing themselves at you."
"Unfortunately Professors Binns and Summers are not my type. Ahem, well, it's late, Albus, I should really be getting to bed." She said, trying to relieve the suddenly heavy, serious atmosphere that surrounded them.
"Yes, it's quite late isn't it? Goodnight, Minerva. Sweet dreams." He said but hesitated and then kissed her cheek before leaving.
Minerva touched her hand to her cheek and smiled. She turned around and was just about to enter her room and go to sleep when a voice stopped her.
"I didn't know you were coming back." She turned back around.
"I didn't know I was coming back until Albus invited me about a month ago." Tom cringed when she used Dumbledore's first name. "I really should be getting to bed, it's late. It was nice to see you again, goodnight, Tom."
"Do you and Professor Dumbledore keep in touch often?" He asked, even though he knew the answer. He had also made it his business to keep an eye on her the entire time she had been here, including her talk with Dumbledore just before he made his presence known.
She stopped and turned back around, "Yes, he's worried about Grindelwald attacking Beauxbatons, so we keep in touch so he knows I'm still safe."
"He's worried about you, I'm surprised, I thought that it was unprofessional for a teacher, especially one of the opposite sex and so much older, to get involved with a student like that. Of course, I also thought that you were smarter than to actually be taken in by the likes of him." He said almost bitterly.
"Albus and I are friends, and I am no longer his student, now I am going to bed." She said shortly and went into her room without saying goodnight.
Minerva returned to Beauxbatons a few days later, after visiting her family. Two and a half weeks later Albus had still not received a letter from her and he was getting worried, until a soft tapping on his window calmed him down. "It's just late." He said taking the letter and opening it to reveal a very sloppy, very short letter.
~~~~~~
Beauxbatons is under attack, it's just begun, and I hope Horus makes it to you. Rumors say that Grindelwald is somewhere near, but not fighting himself. I pray that we can hold them off long enough for the aurors to arrive. I will try and write again as soon as I can. If I don't, please don't blame yourself, remember, I chose to come here, and not even you could have stopped me. Minerva
~~~~~~
Albus' heart stopped, she was in trouble. Within a few seconds he was in the headmasters office arranging things so he could go and help fight with the aurors to defend Beauxbatons. Dippet, of course, approved and wished him well.
Albus met up with one of his friends, Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody and they, along with a few other aurors were off.
They arrived in the middle of a forest, a little ways away from the school.
"We need to find Grindelwald, if we kill him, it will discourage his followers." Albus said.
"Yeah, but where? He's always at the battles, but he's always hidden." One of the aurors said looking around for possible attackers.
Albus tried to think, he had only been in that area a few times before but, except for the forest, which wasn't that big, it was pretty much open areas. "Wait, I know. Alastor, gather as many aurors as possible I think I know where he might be."
"Where?"
"Minerva told me in one of her letters about an underground tunnel that wizards built and used during the French Revolution. It's hidden underground, and not many people even remember it's there, but she told me exactly where it was, so the next time I came here I'd be able to find it even if she wasn't able to take me there." Albus explained quickly.
Recognition crossed one of the auror's faces, "Yes! I remember visiting there when I was younger."
He told Alastor where it was.
"Be careful." Alastor called. He would gather some reinforcement, and inform the head auror about it, and Albus was going with another auror to scout ahead and see if his hunch was right.
Albus encountered several opposing wizards, most of them were very young, but he and the auror stunned them easily and eventually made it to where the entrance was supposed to be. Sure enough, they heard voices. "Yes, General, I understand." General, that's what his followers addressed Grindelwald as. They hid to the side as a man came out.
Should I wait? But I can't, Minerva's life is at stake. Albus thought to himself
"We can blast our way through to underneath the school, and then attack from within" Another voice, presumably Grindlewald's said from within the tunnel.
"We're working on it now, General."
"Good, now go, I don't want anyone to get near this tunnel."
"Sir, yes Sir." Another man exited the tunnel.
He's going to attack them from underneath, Dammit where's Alastor! Albus looked around and spotted him. He was still quite a ways off, and then was suddenly ambushed by a bunch of Grindelwald's followers. Dammit, I can't wait for them to get through, I have to stop him now.
"I'm going in, keep watch in case anyone else tries to come in." The auror, despite his better judgment, nodded as Albus said stepped out of his hiding place and creping into the tunnel. The auror sighed and turned around, blocking the door and watching out for anyone who might try and return to Grindlewald.
Alastor was looking towards the tunnel, There's no way we're going to get him now. Just then he saw Albus slip inside. Dammit Albus! You're gonna get yourself killed.
He continued fighting, watching as comrades and enemies alike fell for what seemed like hours, but was probably closer to 30 minutes. Suddenly there was an explosion that came from the tunnel, and it was enough to distract the enemies and give the aurors the advantage. Another half hour later and the remaining aurors made there way into the tunnel.
"ALBUS!! DAMMIT, MAN, YOU BETTER BE ALIVE, OR I'M GONNA KILL YOU!!!" Alastor screamed.
"You do realize that makes no sense right?" Came a voice in the corner. Alastor pointed his wand towards the voice, but lowered it.
"Albus! What the hell happened?!?!"
"He's dead." Albus said limping towards Alastor and pointing to Grindelwald, who was slumped against the wall.
The war was over, and good had won. After hearing of their leader's defeat, many surrendered, and the aurors, as well as Albus were taken to the school's infirmary.
"You killed Grindelwald, you're a hero!" Shouted one teacher when Albus limped inside. Apparently word spread fast about what had happened.
"Come this way, I'll have you fixed up in no time." A mediwitch told Albus.
He laid down on the bed and let her examine his leg, "Do you work here?"
"Yes, why?"
"I was wondering if you knew Minerva McGonagall."
"Who? Oh, yes, the Animagi, yes. Why?" Asked the witch without looking up from his leg.
"She's a friend of mine, and I was wondering if she was alright."
"Yes, she's fine, well, for the most part. A few scrapes and bruises, but nothing serious. She's helping Frances take care of the students."
"Frances?"
"Professor Ranney, he teaches History of Magic, they're in charge of keeping the students who are uninjured in the Main Dining Hall."
"Can you tell me how to get there?" Albus asked the witch when she finished healing his leg.
"No time, Albus, we have to go now." Moody said coming up next to him
"Now?"
"Yes, the ministry wants answers now, and from you personally. We can't waist a moment, let's go."
"But I haven't seen Minerva, yet." Alastor looked upset, but then spotted a teacher.
"You."
"Yes?" The old wizard asked with a think French accent.
"You know Minerva McGonagall?"
"Of course, she is one of my colleagues."
"Good, tell her Albus Dumbledore was here, but that he couldn't stay and see her because a friend had to drag him back to England, but that he's glad she's alright. Ok, Albus, you happy?"
"I'll do that." The wizard said and walked off. Albus nodded his thanks and then he and Alastor hurried back to the Ministry's offices.
~~~~~~
The next day Minerva was finally able to go back to her room and get some rest, something she had missed since the battle began. When she got back she noticed an owl sitting on her desk, and she immediately recognized the handwriting as Albus'. One of the fellow teachers had told her he had been there, like she didn't know that from everyone celebrating that he had defeated Grindlewald, but had continued to tell her his message. She sat down and started to read the letter.
~~~~~~
Dearest Minerva,
Please do not be upset with me for leaving without seeing you, but you can blame that on Alastor or the Ministry of Magic, but not me. I need to talk to you, I'll be at the Taillevent Restaurant at 8 o'clock on Friday. Please do me the honor of joining me for dinner.
Love, Albus
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Minerva sat there surprised, was something wrong? What did he need to tell her that could wait until Friday, but he couldn't tell her in a letter? She immediately sent a letter back saying that she, of course, would meet him there, but also informed him of her worries, but she received no reply back with further explanations.
Friday night
Minerva was now walking up to the muggle restaurant, where Albus was waiting for her. They were both wearing muggle evening wear suitable for the seasonal weather and for the time period. She saw him first, and immediately had to resist the urge to run into his arms and kiss him senseless. What she didn't know was that as soon as he saw her, he had to resist the same urge that she had just had.
"Minerva." He said taking one of her hands and kissing it. He couldn't help it, his eyes traveled down her, examining every curve that the dress accentuated. She noticed this and tried, but failed, to suppress the blush that started to form when he looked at her like that.
He finally tore his eyes back to her face, "You look beautiful."
She looked into his eyes, and saw something there that she hadn't seen in his eyes ever before, but for some reason it sent an excited chill down her spine. "Thank you, Albus, you look very handsome, yourself."
"Shall we?" He said motioning to the door and offering her his arm, which she gladly took as they headed inside.
They ate and talked for over an hour before she remembered what he had said in his letter.
"What did you want to talk to me about?" She asked, taking another sip of her wine.
Instead of answering, he looked over to the dance floor in the center of the room and then turned back to her with a smile, "Would you like to dance?"
"That's not what you wanted to talk to me about." She said, but then sighed when he got up and offered her his hand. "Alright, one dance, but then I want answers, Albus Dumbledore." He grinned and pulled her up.
One dance turned into 5 dances before they finally sat down again.
"You are very good at distracting me." Minerva laughed as they sat down.
"Thank you." Albus said smiling. "You look so beautiful when you laugh." He said looking at her. She looked up at him and felt a pang in her heart at all of the emotions she saw in his eyes.
He motioned for a waiter to give them the bill, which he promptly paid, and then turned to her, "Would you like to go for a walk?"
"Alright." She said, still not understanding what was going on.
They ended up on one of the bridges over the Seine River. She was looking into the river when she felt his hand brushing a stray piece of hair behind her ear. She closed her eyes and leaned into his touch.
"Minerva?" His voice was soft and she didn't open her eyes.
"Hmm?"
"Why weren't Binns and Summers your type?"
She opened her eyes and looked over at him, "Because I'm in love with someone else." She answered quietly.
He leaned closer to her, "Who?"
She paused and looked deep into his eyes, "You."
That's all Albus needed to hear before his lips were on hers. The kiss was like what she had heard, it lasted for what seemed forever, but it wasn't long enough.
When he pulled back he looked down at her, waiting for either acceptance or regret for what they just did.
She opened her eyes and found him looking down at her and she smiled. "You have no idea how long I've waited for that to happen."
"You have no idea how long I've been trying to fight the urge to do that." He said stroking her cheek gently.
"What happens now?" She asked softly. She didn't want to ask the question, but she knew she had to.
"Now.it's up to you." He said, "What ever you want I'll do."
"I want to be with you." She said and he smiled, but then she continued, "But I want to continue to teach."
Albus frowned, he was thinking that the problem would be if she wanted to actually be with him and be public about their relationship, but he had forgotten about her teaching ambitions.
He stepped back from her and sighed, "So what do you want to do?"
"We could try a long distance relationship, at least, until I can get a teaching position at Hogwarts." She said looking down at the stones beneath her feet.
He smiled and placed a hand under her chin, forcing her to look at him and not the ground. "Hopefully that time won't be too far away."
She smiled back at him and then frowned, "Albus, what if I don't get a position at Hogwarts?"
He laughed, "Really, Minerva, as soon as a position is available Hogwarts will be dragging you back there by your hair." She smiled and they kissed again, forgetting the world around them and focusing on each other for that perfect moment.
End of Part 4
Ok, just a little note about the 'tunnels built during the French Revolution', that was totally made up (or if there were tunnels I didn't know about them) and to answer any question about why didn't they just apparate during the Revolution, I'm guessing since it's so controlled during the 1990's/2000 era, it was probably to difficult for many witches and wizards to do back then. Oh, and the Taillevent is a real restaurant in Paris, but I don't know if it was around in the 1940's, so I'm pretending it was (lol). Oh, and I pretty much know what's going to happen in the next chapter, and let's just say there's more AD/MM goodness, but TOM at the end (hehe)