There is an author's note at the bottom, but before I start I wanna thank all my reviewers. You're my life-line so keep reviewing! I'll answer questions here before the next chapter:

Liz O'Brien (The real reason Dumbledore went to the Astronomy Tower was just to think. If you look back at the second chapter, I explained it's his favourite place to think. And I conveniently made it Minerva's fave place too! :D)

Hrei-siesn (I do have a plot outline, some of it surprises me, so that's OK. But, things will match up. By the end of it, you'll be like, OH!!!)

Darlingdearheart (Why thank you very much! Yes, I don't see Albus and Minerva as the kind of people who'd rush anyway. I see them as people who are afraid of their own feelings and only realise when it's too late or something happens to expose those feelings. But thanks for the review, warmed the cockles of my heart!)

Just wanted to thank my Beta Cait for helping me through this chapter. I wrote some more bits in to explain a few things and omitted a few details to make the story flow more clearly.

Chapter 6: Worries

It had been six months now since Minerva started teaching at Hogwarts. At first she had been really nervous and stilted, but now she had found her voice and was enjoying teaching a lot.

Albus had been there for her then most and they were becoming fast friends. Best friends. It was so easy to talk to him and their favourite place to talk was the Astronomy Tower.

But, now the world was changing. Attacks on wizards and Muggles alike were becoming more frequent. Minerva checked the Obituaries page well before the headlines in the Daily Prophet now. Most of her friends and colleagues from her former life had been killed in horrible circumstances, during raids or just turning up to defend Paris.

She was horrified to see what was happening and seeing the deaths of her former colleagues both saddened her and relived her. Saddened because they were good people and didn't deserve to die, but relieved that she had gotten out when she did. She was still very young and wanted to enjoy her life.

But now, the trouble had spread to England and grave talk had filtered through to the staff table. Julius tried to ignore it and put on a brave face for the children.

Albus did not.

"They say his name's Grindelwald. My partner, Nicholas Flamel is getting increasingly worried. The Philosopher's Stone, the one he and I invented was nearly stolen yesterday. Luckily he's found somewhere safe to put it now. The rumours are Grindelwald is looking for it." said Albus shaking his head in dismay.

Minerva nodded gravely. Soon it would spread to the students too. But she was damned if she could at least try to protect them. Her lessons now consisted of basic self-defence with and without a wand. Curses and counter curses; as much as she could impart from her training and experiences as she could.

"I'm doing the best I can Albus. The children are scared and willing to learn, but if it comes to Hogwarts, I fear I can't protect them at all." she said looking down in sadness.

Strong hands gripped her shoulders, "Minerva, the best is what anyone can ask of you. You're doing well. We'll do our best. And we'll win Minerva. We'll win" and then Dumbledore did something he'd never done before.

He kissed the top of her head and left.

Minerva's head was spinning. Was he trying to tell her something? Or was it a brotherly type of kiss? She had to admit she had started to like him a lot. A growing attraction she tried to keep out of her voice every time she spoke to him.

He was so much older then her and sometimes in his sparkling blue eyes she saw infinite sadness with what had happened to the world. His eyes fascinated her. The colour of the sea and the sky. He was a remarkable man, but he had never shown any interest in her.

Nor had he ever spoken of a wife or children at all. Then again, he had never told her of any kind of lover, male or female. He seemed content to be on his own from what she could tell.

She just wished she could ease the lines of worry from his face.

Sighing, she turned back to her marking.



Albus turned another page within the hefty brown folder that he was balancing on his knee as he read the information inside it. Sighing, he took off his glasses in despair and rubbed his eyes.

It was no use. Grindelwald or Eric Oswald as he was formerly known would come for them soon. He wanted eternal life, and the only way he was going to get it was through the Philosopher's stone.

Albus stood up and walked over to his window. It was a clear night out. The stars were shining and he found himself absently wondering whether this view would look better from the Astronomy Tower. Probably would look best with Minerva there.

Which brought him back to his thoughts about her. He felt this need to protect her if he could. But, not in a brotherly or friend type way. But as in a way that he loved her deeply. He jolted at his own reverie.

Loved? Where on earth did that come from?! He didn't love Minerva McGonagall. He liked her a lot and she was a wonderful friend. But, he didn't love her.

'Yes you do' whispered a mocking voice, 'You've loved her ever since you saw her in that Parisian hospital. She looked so peaceful and beautiful when she was asleep. You wanted to just gaze at her for hours on end.'

Albus mused at this. It was true he did. She was easy to talk to, practical and her smile. Oh, Merlin her smile! That lit up the room wherever she was and you couldn't help but notice her and share in her pleasure and happiness.

'OK, so what if I do love her' said another voice, 'It doesn't mean she loves me back'

'How do you know? Has she ever given any indication that she doesn't like you or your company? Tell her man, tell her!' said the first voice.

But the second voice won, because Albus was scared. He was scared of being rejected and he didn't know if Minerva would want him. He knew that she didn't have a husband or children, but what's to say that she didn't have a lover? Maybe she had a lover that was killed and it wouldn't be best to approach a grieving woman. It would be heartbreaking if she knocked him back and their friendship would forever be ruined. He valued that friendship with all he held dear, and he couldn't risk losing her.

So, Albus sighed and turned back to his bed, his weary body tired and settled into a peaceful slumber. His unconscious resolved the issue of whether or not to tell her, he dreamt of her smile all night long.

A/N: Well, couldn't help it. Had to add the angst in. Even surprised me when I was writing it! So, tell me what you think.