Thoughts whirled through Minerva's head, things she could say, ways to deny that… that Rolanda had guessed right. Maybe she could… could she raise her eyebrows in that way, in that very typical, ironic way of hers? No, she couldn't. Not with Rolanda, her best friend, who had always shared all Minerva's secrets except… except this one. It was hard for Minerva to accept it, but she knew when she had lost. And she had lost.

Slowly, she bowed her head… and nodded.

Rolanda looked at her friend, almost in disbelief.

"Minerva… No implausible denial… not even… not even a word of… My god, Minnie, where's the McGonagall temper? So is it true… well of course is it true…"

"Why "of course"?" Minerva asked, seeing the determination on Rolanda's face.

Rolanda rolled her eyes.

"My dear Minerva, I think the whole world has been gossiping about whether you and Albus are lovers or not for the past thirty years! I mean, it's so damn obvious that you would make the cutest couple ever. But… well, we all began to doubt it- because you two always were so noble and your relation seemed as platonic as could be. But it is true, then…"

Minerva bowed her head again.

"Well, I can't really say that it is true. I mean… I… I…"

She had trouble saying the words she had been hiding in her thoughts for so many years. But suddenly, she spoke, passionately.

"I love Albus. I love Albus. I adore Albus, I love, love, love Albus!"

Rolanda laughed.

"Dear Minerva- and all those people always thinking you were a living ice cube!"

"Rolanda, how many people exactly are gossiping 'bout me and Albus?"

Rolanda spoke, impulsively as ever

"Well, half the world and, like, all students plus the whole staff. We've all been wishing that you two would become a couple for years."

Minerva smiled sadly.

"I think you can wait forever… it's not like Albus even notices me…"

Rolanda's eyes became bigger than ever. Suddenly, she started laughing.

"Minnie, oh Minnie, you're the smartest witch I know, but you are so stupid, you know? Albus admires you, no, he adores you, my dear."

"He doesn't." answered Minerva dryly. "He certainly doesn't."

"Oh yes he does. He so does!"

"Then why hasn't he ever shown it?"

Rolanda rolled her blue eyes.

"Minerva, darling, well… Firstly, he has, but you are way too blind to see it. Secondly, you sometimes do behave like a human ice cube, dear!"

"I don't."

"You do."

"I don't."

"You do! Oh," she added, as she saw Minerva laughing.

"You can laugh, girl, but I, Rolanda Hooch, am herewith making a promise! You, Minnie McGonagall, will not wake on the morning of February 15th, unless it'll be in his arms!"