Her Chance Gone

Meeting Regina

Poppy walked straight into Minerva and wondered what had caused her friend to stop so abruptly. Poppy followed Minerva's gaze and noticed Albus, arm in arm with an unfamiliar woman.

The woman stood beside Albus, her well-manicured hand resting upon Albus' arm as she looked around the entrance hall with amazement. Her fiery red hair seemed to consume her slender frame and made her look somewhat wild. Everything about her seemed odd and strange. She appeared to be everything Albus was not and nothing about her seemed compatible with his personality. They were as different as night and day and in Minerva's opinion, she didn't seem the type of woman Albus would be attracted to in the least.

Minerva watched as the red headed woman smiled sweetly at the members of the staff who had assembled to welcome their Headmaster back. She noted how Albus stroked the woman's dainty hand affectionately. Minerva felt a wave of nausea hit her and she reached for the banister to prevent her from falling, as she felt her legs become weak and heavy at the same time.

"Who is that," Poppy asked.

"How would I know, Poppy!" snapped Minerva.

Poppy looked at her friend and was shocked at how pale Minerva had turned. Her knuckles were white from holding on to the banister so tightly. "Maybe it's his long lost sister," suggested Poppy, who really didn't know what to say at that particular moment.

"I have a brother, Poppy, and I can assure you that I never stroke his hand like that," replied Minerva sadly.

"Well, maybe she tripped over and is leaning on him for support," said Poppy clutching at straws.

"I know what you're trying to do, Poppy," said Minerva, raising her hand to prevent any more excuses. "I'm grateful, but it's really not helping."

"It probably isn't what it looks like Min," said Poppy softly. "Come on, let's go down and find out for sure."

"I think I'd rather return to my rooms," admitted Minerva. "By all means, you go down and greet them." Minerva was about to turn when Albus caught her eyes and beckoned her down with his spare hand. His bright blue eyes twinkled with happiness and he smiled brightly at her. Minerva felt her heart skip a beat as he looked at her and then a pang of sadness enveloped her heart. "Oh Slytherin!" she exclaimed under her breath, "I can't do this!"

"Minerva," said Poppy, "you have to now. He has seen us."

Minerva rolled her eyes and then pulled herself together. She smoothed down her robes and fiddled with the cuffs, wishing she had never worn them. Minerva then descended the stone steps regally, her head held up high with Poppy following closely behind. Minerva's left hand barely touched the banister as she descended and her feet barely touched the floor, making it appear as if she was gliding towards them. "Welcome back, Headmaster," she said professionally as she came to a stop in front of Albus and his guest. "I trust you had a good break."

"I had a wonderful break but it is good to be back, Minerva," he replied with a smile. He had been taken back to hear her address him as "Headmaster".

The woman beside Albus turned her head slightly to observe Minerva and the Deputy Headmistress could feel the woman giving her the once over. Minerva caught her eye briefly and the woman gave her a knowing smile before turning back and placing a small kiss on Albus' cheek. Minerva wanted the ground to open up and swallow her up. But instead, she turned slightly and looked out of the window and over the lake.

"So, Headmaster," squeaked Flitwick "are you going to introduce us to this delightful woman standing beside you?"

"Oh Merlin, where are my manners? I would like to introduce you to Regina Hardcastle, my fiancée." The entrance hall suddenly became very quiet and if a pin had been dropped, the sound would have echoed around the school. Regina beamed with pride as she looked at each member of the staff in turn, lingering a bit longer on Minerva than any of the others. Severus had a twisted sort of smile on his face as he stepped forward and offered his congratulations before stalking back to the dungeons.

Silence once again took hold of the situation and Minerva could feel a dozen or so eyes on her. She mentally cursed each and every one of them for looking at her. They were all waiting for her to say something. She was having a hard enough time coming to terms with his news, let alone having to deal with her colleagues' stares. Albus hadn't mentioned anything about Regina in his long letters to Minerva over the break.

"I offer my congratulations to you both," said Poppy, forcing the words out and breaking the uncomfortable silence. She glanced across at Minerva and noticed that she was having a bit of trouble forming words. The expression on her face was one that Poppy had never seen before.

Noticing that Poppy was now looking at her, Minerva pulled herself together. "I would like to offer you both my congratulations on hearing this unexpected news. The Headmaster hadn't mentioned meeting anyone in his letters so that is why you see shocked faces in front of you," said Minerva, trying not to let the hurt she felt seep into her words.

Not giving Albus or Regina the chance to reply, she bid her goodbyes by saying she had some work to do and that she would see them at dinner. Poppy watched her friend turn gracefully and gathered up her robes slightly before walking up the stairs.

To be continued…