Translator's notes:

Hi… (looks around guilty) Yes, I did it again. This chapter took forever, I know and I'm very sorry. I once again lost the disk on which I had saved this story. In the past months I have moved and the diskette was in one of the boxes. Sorry. I've found all the chapters now and placed them next to the computer, so I think I can safely promise now that the last two chapters will be posted A LOT sooner.

Griselda La Fey

Chapter 5:

The One With All the Matchmaking

Minerva woke up the next morning, because Fawkes was whistling and flying around Albus' Office. She stretched and sat up in the chair she'd felt asleep in yesterday. 'Fawkes, stop it', she muttered groggily.

'And a very good morning to you, my dear', Fawkes sang, 'you slept well, I hope?'

'Yes I did', Minerva meowed back and she jumped on the window seat. 'Look, it snowed yesterday'.

She thought of the previous night. She didn't like being locked up again, but at least now she had the company of Fawkes and Albus for the best part of the day, and that made up a lot.

Plus, from Albus' window you had a wonderful view.

The door opened and Albus walked in. "Good morning", he said cheerfully, "I've brought you some breakfast". He placed the tray on his desk and Fawkes started to sing and ruffle his wings enthusiastically.

'Show off', Minerva muttered.

'You're the one to tell', Fawkes answered.

Albus looked at the two animals and wondered what they were talking about.

He poured milk on a saucer te and placed it in front of Minerva. She rubbed her head against his hand and began to drink.

After breakfast Albus pulled a book from the shelves and placed it on his desk. "Here's something for you to read, Minerva", he said.

'I can't turn the pages', Minerva meowed back.

' I can do that for you'. Fawkes replied. Both of them sat down on the desk.

"I have a class to teach", Albus said, "Don't fight while I'm gone". He winked at them and left the office.

After three pages Minerva gave up. 'I can't read, while someone is watching over my shoulder', she meowed to Fawkes.

'I cannot either', Fawkes answered, and he closed the book.

'Would you like to play some chess?' Fawkes asked, but Minerva shook her head and jumped in the window seat again. She stared outside for a few minutes.

"You don't have to worry, my dear', Fawkes said suddenly. 'Two more days, then the Potion will be ready, and you will be human again'.

Minerva smiled. 'Thank you, Fawkes'.

'Would you like to talk about it?' Fawkes asked, sitting down next to her.

'Talk about what?' Minerva asked startled.

'Oh please', Fawkes answered, 'Min, I might be a bird, but I am not a blind bird'.

'Fawkes, what are you talking about?' Minerva asked exasperated.

'You love him', Fawkes stated matter of factly.

Mineva nodded sadly and looked outside again.

'Then, pray tell me, what is the problem?' Fawkes asked. 'He loves you too'.

Minerva looked at him in surprise. 'How do you know that?'

'Come', Fawkes said, 'I'll show you'. He flew to the stairs. 'Come on', he urged again.

'Absolutely not', Minerva replied, 'I won't go looking through Albus' personal belongings!'

'All right', Fawkes answered, 'Wait here, then'. And he was gone.

'Fawkes, come back!', Minerva hissed, jumping of the window seat. 'You can't do that!'

'You are so interfering!' Minerva yelled after him.

She waited a couple of minutes and then Fawkes came back, holding a picture frame in his beak. He dropped it in front of her.

The frame contained a picture of her that was taken a few years ago.

'This picture stands on his bedside cabinet', Fawkes told her.

"I believe you Fawkes', Minerva said quickly, 'please put it back before Albus returns'.

At that same moment the door opened. Minerva jumped on the frame and covered it with her body.

"I forgot some books", Albus said, while walking to the bookshelf. He looked surprised at Minerva, who was lying on the floor and to Fawkes who hovered above her. "What are you doing?' he asked.

'Mrauw', Minerva replied, 'nothing'.

Albus pulled some books from the shelf and eyed them superstitious. "Very well", he said, "I'll see you at lunch". Minerva nodded and Fawkes hooted.

After he'd gone, Minerva jumped up. "Put this back right now!' she hissed to Fawkes.

'Anything you say', Fawkes grinned, picking up the picture frame.

The door of Severus' Office flew open and Jane entered. "Hello my dear Potionsmaster', she said enthusiastically. Severus who was sitting behind his desk looked up in surprise. Jane summoned his cloak and threw it on his desk. "Come on", she said, "I fancy a walk".

"I don't". Severus replied grumpily, continuing with his work.

"Come on Severus", Jane answered. "Your work can wait. It doesn't snow that often".

Severus looked at Jane and asked. "What do you want?"

"Nothing", Jane answered, "I just want to walk". She walked to the door and looked back. "Are you coming or not?"

"Can you image anything more divine then walking through the snow?" Jane asked excitedly, when they were outside.

"Yes", Severus replied. "What do you want, Jane?"

Jane linked her arm through his and said softly, "I need your opinion about something".

Severus looked at her in surprise. "What do you want?" he asked again.

"Oh Severus, could you please change that tune?" Jane asked exasperated. "I just want to talk to you. Is that forbidden?"

"What would you like to talk about?" Severus asked.

"I think…", Jane started in a mischievous voice, "that Albus and Minerva feel more for each other then just friendship".

Severus grinned. "Why do think I suggested that Fawkes would be better company then Fang?"

Jane stopped walking and stared at him.

"What?" Severus asked, turning around.

"Did you just smile?" Jane asked shocked.

"No", Severus replied, dropping his face.

"Yes you did!" Jane exclaimed, "You smiled. Oh dear Merlin, our Potionsmaster is a man of flesh and blood after all and he can smile!"

"Very funny", Severus muttered moodily.

"I'm just teasing you", Jane said, nudging him gently. "You should smile more often, it's quite becoming".

"But you think they would be great together too", Jane continued. "What should we do about it?"

"Nothing", Severus replied, "they are adults, they can work it out for themselves".

"Oh come on, Severus", Jane exclaimed, "don't be such a goodie goodie".

"You've made sure they are together in his office now", Jane continued, "do you have any other brilliant plans?"

"Jane, what are you doing Saturday night?" Severus asked. He stopped walking and looked at her.

"Nothing", Jane answered.

"Would you like to go out to dinner with me?" Severus asked. "I now a nice restaurant in London. Maybe we could discuss this further then?"

Meanwhile, inside the castle the bell rang and Albus' classroom emptied slowly. Ginny stayed behind and hesitated for a moment. Then she walked up to his desk.

"Professor, can I ask you something?" she asked softly.

Albus looked up. "Of course Ginny", he replied smiling.

"How… how's Birdie doing?" Ginny asked.

Albus' smile widened. "Don't worry about her, Ginny. Mrs. Norris didn't hurt her and Birdie is at my office now. Fawkes is keeping her company".

"Oh… all right", Ginny replied, "Thank you Professor…". She wanted to turn around, but Albus asked, "You're not angry with her, are you?"

"No I'm not angry with her", Ginny replied. "I'm angry with myself".

"Why?" Albus asked surprised.

Ginny looked angrily at him. "I'm always telling things to the wrong people. My mother is right, I am a big blabbermouth. Last year Tom Riddle, this year Professor McGonagall…"

"Ginny, listen to me", Albus said urgently, "I can assure you that everything you've told Professor McGonagall will remain confidential. I've known her for years and there is no one I trust more then her".

"Thank you, Professor", Ginny answered relieved. Smiling she added, "could you tell her I said hello?".

"I most certainly will", Albus said, "Well, I think it's time for you next class".

Ginny nodded and walked out of the classroom. 'I still think they would make a cute couple', she thought.

Will Severus smile again? Will Fawkes show more pictures. Will Albus and Minerva make a cute couple? Will Albus ever find out what Minerva and Fawkes were talking about?

Will it take forever until chapter 6 is updated… ?