Disclaimer: I do not own anything dealing with Harry Potter and all that.

A/N: I am so sorry that I have not been updating any of my stories because.... Well, I don't really have a good reason except lack of inspiration. Anywho, my muse, Professor McGonagall, has hit me over the head a few times and I finally knew what to write

Warning: Complete Fluff ahead!

Albus couldn't believe his rotten luck! 'I'm nothing but a dundering buffoon,' he thought. He burst through his office door, slammed it shut, then leaned against it for support. How could he not tell her that he loved her?

Flashback...

"Minerva, there's been something I've been meaning to tell you..." he had said. She looked at him, those beautiful green eyes burning into his.

"Yes, Albus?" she asked. There was a source of hope in her eyes.

"Well, you see... It's rather difficult for me to say," he said/

"You can tell me anything, Albus, you know that," she told him, squeezing his hand reassuringly. That gave him an extra surge of comfort and courage. He felt he could tell her anything.

"Well, the thing I wanted to tell you is-"

"Oh thank goodness you are alright, Min," exclaimed Xiomara, rushing through the hospital door and rushing to her friend's side. "I was so scared when I heard you had just dropped to the ground like that!"

"I assure you, I am fine," said Minerva. "Now, if you'll excuse us, I believe Albus was trying to tell me something."

"No, no, it's quite alright," said Albus, standing up. "It's not really urgent. I suppose I'll just have to tell you another time." Just then, Poppy entered with Severus, Sylvia, and Filius Flitwick.

"Oh, good, you're up," Poppy smiled. "Hagrid is on his way with some newly cut roses for you. I daresay, he was at his wits end about you."

"I do hope they are not those snapping roses again," Minerva said, trying to hide her disappointment of not being able to speak with Albus alone. "When he gave them to me at St. Mungo's, I nearly lost my face."

"No need for worry there, Min," said Xiomara.

"Well, I really should go," said Albus. "I need to, um, answer some letters."

"Oh, okay," said Minerva, disappointed now clear on her face.

"I'll see you all at supper," he said. Then, he left.

End Flashback...

Albus sat slumped in his chair in front of the fireplace, staring at it intently. He was a coward and he knew it. After all he had done in his life, he would not face this one woman who haunted his dreams. And for this, he mentally scolded and slapped himself. Even if she did not return his love, she deserved to know.

After many more tests had been completed, Poppy was forced to let Minerva leave the infirmary, though she had made it clear she wasn't too happy about it. So Minerva made her way through the nearly empty halls, thinking about Albus. What was it that he had wanted to tell her? If only Xiomara hadn't burst through the doors at that particular moment, then perhaps...

Minerva shook her head. She was much too old to indulge in such childish fantasies. He was probably just going to tell her about some ministry meeting or to ask her advice on a matter concerning Fudge. Still, it must've been of some importance, for she sensed some urgency in his eyes. So, she made her mind up to go to his office and find out what he wanted to tell her by going to his office and asking him.

"Come in," called Albus when he heard a knock on his office door. The handle turned and Minerva walked through it.

"Hello, Albus," she smiled. "I do hope I am not interrupting anything." Albus jumped to his feet.

"Oh, hello, Minerva," he said. "No, you have not interrupted anything, my dear. I was just thinking and enjoying the warmth of my fireplace. Care to join me, my dear?" He motioned to the chair next to him. She nodded and sat, as did he. For a few moments, they simply sat there in silence, neither one knowing what to say. Minerva finally spoke up.

"So, Albus," she said. "What was it you wished to discuss with me? I sensed it was quite important."

"Well, Minerva, it is," said Albus, casting his eyes downward and wringing his hands. He was quite surprised to see a second pair of hands- her hands- cover his. It was then he looked up and saw her looking down at him. Oh, how those lovely eyes made him weak in the knees. She bent down in front of him.

"Please, tell me Albus," she pleaded. "I can see you are carrying such a heavy burden on your shoulders. If it is about my cancer, do not despair. Poppy has explained it all to me and, while it does scare me quite a bit, I've accepted it."

"Oh, Minerva," said Albus, tears forming in his eyes. "You are so brace and strong. I do not think I could be that strong if I knew I had something similar." Minerva smiled and placed a hand on his cheek.

"Yes, you would. A lot of people depend on you, and I know you would not let them down. I am not about to let this sickness get the best of me." Albus was somehow not entirely convinced at what she had said, for he could see something in her eyes that had betrayed her. Was it sorrow, fear, or anger? Could it be all three? He did not know. But whatever it was, he wanted to kiss it away. Though he wasn't entirely sure how he had done it, he had managed to refrain from doing so. "Are you ever going to let me know?"

"Yes, Minerva, I shall tell you," said Albus after a long pause. "You deserve to know." He stood and pulled her up with him, never letting go of her hands. Looking deeply into her eyes, he knew he was doing the right thing. "You see, Minerva... For more than fifty years, now, I... have held certain feelings for you that have been beyond friendship. Feelings that should not have developed, but have." He stopped suddenly when he saw the shock in her eyes. He immediately let go of her hands, expecting her to run away.

"A-Are you saying that... you... love me, Albus?" Minerva asked, still not sure she was hearing what she had hoped to for many years.

"Well, yes, I do believe I am," he said. "I wouldn't blame you for hating me forever for it." Minerva broke into tears.

"Oh, Albus," she sobbed, wiping her eyes.

"Minerva, I-I'm sorry," Albus said quickly. "Honestly, I meant no harm by what I said."

"No, no, you don't understand," said Minerva, now smiling through her tears. "I'm not crying because you've offended me. I'm crying because you've made me so happy. Albus, I love you too," she said. Albus felt a wave of shock roll over him, followed quickly by a wave of relief. She loved him too. He smiled broadly and immediately enveloped her in a warm embrace. She hugged him tightly and snuggled her head gladly onto his chest. Albus inhaled her scent, which was the same as it had been in his dream... Cinnamon and apples.

"You have no idea how long I've been waiting to hear you say that, my love," Albus breathed, rubbing small circles on her back.

"I highly doubt that, Albus," Minerva smiled. Albus pulled back and stared lovingly at her. "I've loved you since my seventh year, during my animageous training," she admitted sheepishly. Albus brought her face down so he was merely inches away.

"Then you should've said something. It would have saved time."

"I could say the same thing about you," replied Minerva, her breath becoming shorter. Instead of saying anything, Albus kissed her gently on the lips, his arms still on the small of her back. It wasn't until Minerva wrapped her arms around his neck that he dared to increase the intensity of the kiss. Pulling her closer, he opened his mouth and ran his tongue across her bottom lip, begging for entrance. Minerva hesitated, but only for a moment before responding. She granted him access, allowing her tongue to slip pat his. They both explored the others mouth, savoring the taste of the other. Only when the need for oxygen came about did they reluctantly tear themselves apart.

"I've been waiting a long time to do that," breathed Minerva, chuckling slightly, her arms still wrapped around his neck. Her fingers were entwined in his hair, and a few pins had come lose in her bun. Albus smiled and rested his forehead against hers.

"So have I, Tabby," he said. "So have I." They walked into his private chambers and sat on his couch, talking and laughing about the irony of it all. When the embers of the fire finally died out, Albus walked Minerva back to her room. It was nearing midnight, so they were sure no one else in the castle would see them. They stopped in front of her door and indulged in one more hug and soft kiss.

"So, I shall see you tomorrow at breakfast, correct?" smiled Minerva.

"Of course, dear," Albus replied.

"Good night, Albus my love," smiled Minerva opening her bedroom door and entering.

"'Till then, Minerva, my dear goddess of wisdom," he replied. And just like that, her door was closed and he was left with only the memory of the first sweet kiss to last him until the morning.

Unbeknownst to the two lovebirds, a pair of eyes rested on the scenes afore mentioned. No, they were not the eyes of the warm, loving, caring eyes of Xiomara or Sylvia; nor were they the all knowing eyes of Poppy; and no, it was not even the angry, cold stone stare of Severus. No, it was none of them, for they were all sleeping soundly7 in their beds.

Those eyes were eyes that spoke of absolute hatred and scorn. They were the eyes of one who had spoken to Colin Creevy, telling him to kill. The one who spoke to Albus in his dream, telling him to beware. The same one who, tonight (in a few moments, actually), would speak to Minerva, to tell her.... Yes, tell her...

A/N2: Hi there. I hope that everyone liked that chapter. I sure enjoyed writing it. I know, it was kinda fluffy, but hey.... I really enjoy fluff. Fluff is good. S'good! Hehehe. Enjoy!