Chapter two: The fair Minerva McGonagall.
The next day, Albus strolled lightly towards the Great Hall, things were looking up…or down in the case of Minerva's hair. Albus had never seen it down before, and was rather curious to see it; even as a student the 'fair Minerva McGonagall' as he had gotten used to calling her, had never even once let her hair down. Every once in a while he had seen her in braids, but never literally down along her back. He almost wondered just how it really was.
As he approached the staff table, it came to his knowledge that Minerva wasn't there, which slightly came as a surprise; she was always early. Then again, the fact that she would probably be talked about for the rest of the day could be a reason for her lack or presence. The minutes ticked by, and he couldn't take his eyes off of the large entrance doors.
The students were looking at him awkwardly, he knew exactly what they were thinking, "why haven't we started eating yet?!" But that was totally and completely a different story, they would know the minute she walked through those doors…and they did the moment she walked through.
Minerva walked slowly down the space between the house tables, not bothering to make eye contact with anyone but Albus. Albus however, was really the one unable to look anywhere else. Her hair was…long; it covered all of her back, and maybe even a few inches lower than that. He knew it would be long, but that was definitely overdoing it. Oh and the color? Ha! Dark heaps of black, mountains of black, and what color were some of those highlights? Red? Brown? He almost thought he would fall to the floor in awe, he found himself almost gasping for air leading him to believe he would fall to the floor from shock.
She smiled questionably at Albus, and sat down at her seat next to him. He swallowed, and looked at the students, "Breakfast is served," he projected, and food was promptly put on plates. Many of the students turned and ate, others, much like Albus, didn't take their eyes off of the fair Professor McGonagall. She seemed to be very much aware of the eyes on her, but turned to Albus quickly.
"You understand that you are in for a very rude awakening considering how everyone is staring at me, do you not?"
"I do not think any of them are meaning to stare at you; you look extremely different without your hair up, and I find myself wanting to stare at you." 'Bad move,' he thought quickly, 'Did I have to say that? Oh holy Bertie Bott beans, why did I say that? Am I…? Oh Merlin, I'm starting to flirt with her.'
She sat back in her chair and stared at him with even the slightest hint of a smile, "So the Great Albus Dumbledore feels compelled to stare at the lonely transfiguration teacher?"
"Forgive my impudence, but recent evidence would point you out to be a beautiful lonely transfiguration teacher."
She smiled, and batted her eyes a few times. 'Since when does she have those long eyelashes? I've never noticed them before.'
"You're just saying that to be nice," she started to blush ever so slightly.
"No, I'm saying that to keep you from thinking about the millions of eyes on you right now. Other than that, I tell no lies; as logic shows you obviously are attractive."
Her cheeks went completely pink, and she bowed her head slightly. "Well I thank you for the compliment, though as much of a lie it is, it's a sweet thing for you to say."
'What am I doing!? I'm flirting with the deputy headmistress, also my previous student of, how long has it been? Thirteen years? Oh Merlin, that has to make her what; thirty-five? Me thinks I'm in deep, deep, deep, deep water. When did she get so attractive? When did I start flirting with her???'
"I thought I said I don't lie," he grinned.
"Well you are obviously a liar, because everyone lies; you just did," she nodded her head, and made a long glance at the entrance doors. "I need to leave and get the lesson plans ready for this morning." She left after that, leaving Albus to ogle at the ocean of black that was her hair; and thinking seriously about his feelings for his deputy.
"You are attractive," he whispered slowly, and he, himself headed up towards his office in the tower.
Hours later, Albus stared at the muggle clock that continuously ticked and tocked and cuckooed. Not only had he not been able to focus all day, but he had a meeting that afternoon with probably an only person that would be able to know if there was something wrong with him…his brother.
Aberforth worked in the ministry part-time, and he and Albus had some business to discuss over some new developments.
The minutes ticked by, and Albus couldn't take his eyes off of the clock without getting paranoid over everything. He was so into the clock, he didn't even look when the door finally did open.
"That muggle clock still giving you a hard time?"
He looked blankly at his brother. "Ah, no, it's just a good way to pass the time. So let's get this meeting over with."
The both of them went and sat down at the chairs by the desk, Albus behind, and Aberforth infront. Albus pulled out some papers in his desk, and handed them to his brother to read. "Here are the blueprints, and the yellow paper is the contract." His brother looked at Albus, then back at the prints. "Is there something you want to tell me…on a personal basis?"
"No, it's…it's…"
"Minerva?"
Albus breathed, "I thought we agreed not to read each other's minded when it was unwanted."
"I didn't know it was unwanted. Tell me before I have to see it for myself."
"Why couldn't I be an only child," he groaned, and began telling about his sudden urge to dream about his deputy.
"So let me get this straight, you dared the woman to leave her hair down for a day, and you are just suddenly overcome with a feeling to how does Alastor put it, mess around with the woman?"
"I never said that I wanted to mess around with her. I just said that I've had…thoughts."
"Did it ever occur to you that maybe you felt like this before?"
"I think I would have known if I thought of her the way I am now. I've always thought of her as a good friend yes, but never like I am now…now I'm just thinking of her as a…woman."
"I'll give it to you straight dear brother, #1, she's always been a very attractive woman, you've just never let yourself notice it, #2, she's always been in your eye cam, and #3, this isn't the first time I've looked into your mind. As faraway as they may be to you, I can still access your…inner thoughts."
"So what are you saying, I've been eyeing her for years without my knowledge?"
"Yes, I think you hit it right on the button."
The two of them stared at eachother closely; Albus inhaled and exhaled slowly, this was so utterly unbelievable, he wasn't going crazy…but he'd always had these feelings? 'I'm such an idiot.'
"So what do you propose I do?"
"What any man would do…sweep her off her feet."
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I'll leave notes too all reviewers at the end of the story. I'm guessing one, maybe 2 more chappies, but that's the most. If it isn't too much, could you guys maybe review for me???
