Chapter 25

A/N: This is Minerva's ponderings, and if it's a little OOC… sorry, but I just thought Minerva's the kind to make the best of something, and besides she's been in so much angst these past chapters, its only fair that her new found feelings make her feel good.

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Minerva was fuming as she walked out of the Great Hall. How dare Remus embarrass her like that? Sirius must have told him about that night and when she gets her hands on that mongrel she was gonna make him fish bait. No! She was going to personally feed Sirius and Remus to the octopus in the lake. AFTER she tied them up and throw so many curses at them, they won't know up from down. Her mind went wild with all the things she would love to do to the duo that she didn't realize someone had followed her until he laid his hands on her arms. She gasp and turned, then relaxed.

"Severus," she breathed and instantly all thoughts of Remus and Sirius disappeared.

"Did I startle you?" he asked his tone apologetic. She nodded.

"A little. I was so wrapped up in thinking up tortures for Remus," she said, and Severus laughed softly.

"That's not very Gryffindor of you," he said, and this time she laughed. Silence.

"I'm sorry…" they said simultaneously then stopped.

"You don't have to apologize for his actions you know," Severus said, but inside he added, although his words were pretty accurate.

"Well, you don't have to either, y'know," she said.

"But I must for not challenging him to a duel for besmirching the honor of a beautiful lady," he said and saw the surprise look on her face. Hell, even he was surprise at his words, as once again his heart was quicker than his common sense. Love did funny things to a person's brains.

Minerva couldn't believe she just heard what she just heard. Severus thought she was beautiful? Of course, he could just be saying it, but it still felt good to her. And besides, when had Severus ever said anything just for the sake of saying it? Oh gosh, she knew she was blushing again. The rational side of her sighed. After getting over the initial shock that she was in love with him, her emotions had taken a 180 degree turn. For one thing, she felt happy and content. When she looked at Athena, knowing that this was Severus and her baby, her heart would leap in joy. Even as she stood in front of him, looking into his handsome face, (she had also come to this conclusion after the getting over initial shock bit), into his dark, intelligent eyes, Minerva felt full from the tip of her toes to the roots of her hair. Her love for him was so great that it filled her, and there was no space left for anything else. Her love pushed out the bad memories, the insecurities, the anger and despair. There was only room for him. Even if he'll never be hers or love her, she was satisfied loving him and looking after their child, because she knew she was finally complete.

She giggled, and then clasped a hand over her mouth.

"Did I just giggle?" she asked incredulously.

"Yeah, I think that was a giggle," answered Severus looking amused. Minerva inwardly groaned. Of course there were the bad parts, like her mental maturity age and intelligence just dropped from 60 to 16. She was never a silly giggling girl even at that age. Then again, she had never been in love at that age either. She smiled at the thought of loving Severus.

"Would you like to share it?" he asked softly. That did dampen her euphoria a little. Well, she couldn't exactly tell him the whole truth, so she told half the truth.

"I was just thinking about Athena, she's growing up so fast. Remember I was telling you about her first steps," she said turning to Severus. He scratched his head. Ah, did she? He hadn't been listening; his thoughts were occupied with her.

"Tell me again, I want to hear it again," he said, and smiled at her. Minerva looked at him speculatively but began telling him again.

"Well, she isn't exactly walking, but her legs can support her body now, so she'll clamber anything and try to walk. She's also got the house elf in standby mode, as she tends to grab tablecloths which just so happens have steaming hot coffee on it," she wryly, and Severus laughed at the image. She felt a thrill rush up her spine when he laughed, because she had caused it. Severus rarely laughed.

She continued to tell him about Athena, not just her first steps but all the little things and by the light in his eyes, she knew he loved hearing every single detail. He was such a great father. And Athena really enjoyed his visits; she loved playing with him and then falling asleep in his arms. And he never neglects her, always buying her presents and clothes… Minerva didn't have to buy Athena any clothes for the next one month after Severus's recent shopping spree. And she enjoyed watching him play with her. They'd be in front of the fire, and Minerva from her work table or lounge chair would watch them and wonder at how perfect it all was. And after she realized she loved him, the father daughter scene became more perfect. It seemed so right for him now to be in her room, playing with his daughter. If only he didn't have to leave after that. But that was her own fault, and she'd have to live with it.

She finished her story and turned to look at him. His face was glowing with fatherly pride. It could've been that, or it could've been her lovesickness… or both, that made her say it.

"I love you," she said, not thinking until it was too late.

"What?" His eyes widened, his pale face turning grey. Oh Merlin, what the hell did I just do. Help!! Minerva's head cried.

"I love you… to come and see her, she would want her father to see her walking," somehow, she and I both don't know, managed to find words quick enough to cover her blunder.

"Oh, of course… yes, definitely I'll be there to see her," he said, and Minerva sighed in relief. She'd better go before she made another blunder.

"Wonderful, well I should go, lessons start soon," she said and he nodded.

"That's right. I'll see you around then?" he said.

"Lunch."

"Goodbye then,"

"Goodbye Severus," she said and walked away. Severus watched her a bit, but then the hall began to fill up with students leaving the Great Hall. Then he too walked to the dungeons.

Such stubborn people, dun you think?