Minerva was brushing her hairs, and then quickly put them up in her usual bun. Her hands were shaking- it confused her. Had Albus feelings for her or hadn't he?

No, he hadn't, and she really had to stop hoping. He couldn't love her. Period. He had asked her because she was his best friend and because Rolanda had forced her into it. Period. Period, period, period.

With a soft sigh, she looked on her watch. A quarter to seven, and she still wore her dressing gown. Her *tartan* dressing gown, of course.

Where was Rolanda and where was her bloody dress? She was extremely nervous, and since she was never nervous, it was quite a disturbing experience. What if Rolanda had forgotten about the dress? And, worse, what if Rolanda had not forgotten about the dress? And what kind of a dress would it be? Rolanda-style? Terrifying vision of short skirts, stiletto heels and way too revealing dresses tortured her mind.

Until Rolanda knocked on the door and came in.

The dress she held was wonderful.

Just wonderful.

Just bleeding wonderful.

And Minerva started crying. She just sank down into her chair and cried. A clearly shocked Rolanda Hooch stood perplexed. Minerva didn't cry easily. Rolanda had known her all her life, yet she had witnessed her cry for the first time two weeks earlier. But even then not this desperate. She didn't know what to do. But that feeling lasted only two seconds, and she hastily threw her arms around her friend.

"Min, Min, I am sorry, is it that terrible? I promise you…"

But Minerva looked up again, slightly embarrassedly wiping away her tears. She shook her head.

"No," she then whispered hoarsely. "no, it is wonderful, Rolanda, thank you…"

"Then why are you crying, Minnie?"

"I don't know…"

With this, Rolanda softly smiled, took her friends hands and softly squeezed them.

"It has all been a little bit two much, hasn't it, Minnie? Even formidable McGonagall has feelings, hasn't she? But listen to me, Min, now just stand up, put that dream of a dress on, and dance! For god's and my sake, Minnie, dance, kiss Albus, be happy!"

"He doesn't love me…" Minerva tried to object weakly. Rolanda slapped her right in the face.

"Shut up." she commented dryly. "And don't say that ever again. Stand up!"

She pulled her friend to her feet.

"Now put on this dress!" With a slight grin, she added.

"I won't look."

Minerva faintly smiled and did as her friend had asked.

The dress was marvelous.

It was made of dark red velvet, but it had a golden belt and golden accents on the wide sleeves. It left the shoulders bare, but it wasn't too revealing, and the skirt! Oh, the skirt was the childhood dream of every woman… It was wide, long and layered- almost a hoop-skirt it was, and Minerva absolutely adored it.

"Now can I turn around?" Rolanda asked after a few minutes, and Minerva muttered

"Yes…"

A bit shyly, she smiled at Rolanda, who spontaneously applauded. She held her breath and fell down on the couch.

"And?"

Rolanda shook her head in surprise.

"Minerva… Cinderella… My god, I knew that dress was gorgeous, but look at you now! If Albus doesn't fall in love with you from the very moment he sees you, then he is blind and stupid. Which he isn't… so… Minnie," she then exclaimed sincerely.

"You're a bloody beauty!"

And she was right. It was as if the dress had been made for Minerva. Which it, by the way, had. The tight bodice flattered Minerva's frail build, and the whiteness of her shoulders corresponded beautifully with the darkness of the dress. She now had a faint, pink smile on her cheeks, and the smile on her face changed the stern Professor McGonagall very suddenly into a Cinderella to be proud of.

"Cinderella, Min!" Rolanda said once more, and Minerva grinned.

"Well, let's hope this dress doesn't change at midnight."

"It doesn't!" Rolanda answered with a smile. "And your mules aren't made of glass as well. Now only your hair…"

She moved towards her friend, who shook her head in a weak objection.

"No, no, Ro, I have already done…"

"Oh shut up!" Rolanda laughed. "You aren't going to the Ball with your hair smothered in that formidable… thing! Here!"

With a slight movement of Rolanda's wand, all of Minerva's hairpins had disappeared, and her wavy, dark hairs tumbled down her back.

"Rolanda, you can't…" she still muttered, but another laugh of her friend made her shut up.

"My dear Minerva, you are going like this or you are not going! Have I made myself clear?"

Minerva faintly chuckled.

"Yes, you have… Professor McGonagall?!"

Rolanda laughed- yet suddenly, the two women heard a modest knock on the door, and the blood rushed to Minerva's cheeks, as she helplessly turned to her friend, who teasingly pushed her towards the door.

"Now go, Cinderella!"

Minerva smiled palely and with shivering hands opened the door.

Albus Dumbledore, in dark purple robes, stood before her and she could hear him hold his breath. Then, he took her hands in his.

"Minerva," he said sincerely. "you look gorgeous tonight."