Her Chance Gone

A/N: Thank you once again to my beta, Ang, who does a wonderful job for me and she is also the person who acts as my sounding board when I have ideas and need someone to tell it too. A huge 'thank you' to all my reviewers! You really are great and there are two or three more chapters to go but I think you will like some of this chapter, so enjoy. Happy Christmas!

Chapter Eleven: Confrontation

It had been six days since Minerva had come across Albus in the corridor and she had spent the rest of the time avoiding him like the plague. She wasn't just avoiding Albus but also her friends and Regina. The corridors were ringing with gossip about the forthcoming wedding which was to take place the very next afternoon and Regina was making her wedding plans very public.

Minerva stared at the papers on her desk with frustration. They needed to have the Headmaster's signature on them before they could be sent off. She had been holding on to them for five days now and she knew that there was no way of getting out of giving these to him. She mustered all her Gryffindor courage and picked up the papers. She swept along the corridor in a businesslike manner and a stern look on her face. She was determined not to show an ounce of feeling to anyone, let alone Albus Dumbledore.

The stone gargoyle jumped aside when she gave the password and she stepped on the stone steps, marching up them like a witch on a mission. The door was ajar so she pushed it open and stepped inside. The office was as untidy as it always was and smelled of hot chocolate and sherbet lemons. Fawkes was dozing on his perch and looked up briefly to acknowledge Minerva. She was saddened to see Fawkes like this. He looked visibly down and she knew that he was nowhere near his burning day so something else must be troubling the usually joyful phoenix.

"Minerva!" greeted a fresh-faced Regina, who was wearing a deep purple dressing robe.

Minerva turned around and looked at Regina who had just appeared from the Headmasters private quarters. Minerva wanted to tell her that purple did not go with her frightfully red hair but bit her lip, as she wanted to avoid any type of confrontation and get out of his office as soon a possible.

"Morning Ms. Hardcastle," replied Minerva. "I just popped by to drop these important papers off so that Albus can sign them."

"I'm afraid that Albus won't be able to sign them at present, Minerva," said Regina with a look of superiority. "He is still in bed and have you forgotten what day it is tomorrow? It's our wedding day and you can't possibly expect him to work today or for the next two weeks."

"Regardless of tomorrow, Ms. Hardcastle, these papers need to be signed today," explained Minerva. "They are important documents and need to be dealt with."

Regina glared at Minerva and placed her hands down on Albus' untidy desk. She made a face as she put her hand in some spilled ink and cursed as she cleaned herself. Minerva couldn't help but smile. How did this woman ever live with Albus Dumbledore, who enjoyed being surrounded by such an organized mess? Over the years Minerva had come to accept that being messy was part of his personality and the way he was and she wouldn't change that for the world.

"I think you are trying to spoil my special day," spat Regina!

"Oh, you flatter yourself Ms. Hardcastle. I am merely trying to get these papers signed," Minerva answered as she placed the papers on top of a stack of books, knowing that Albus always checked there for items that needed his signature.

"Don't give me that," hissed Regina glaring at Minerva! "From day one you haven't like me."

"What is there to like?" questioned Minerva in a matter of fact tone of voice.

Regina spitefully pushed the stack of books off the table. The papers that needed signing fluttered everywhere, landing in a mess. Minerva looked at Regina, who was smiling and had a look to her that made her seem very proud of herself.

"Oh, very grown up," said Minerva as she pulled out her wand and pointed it at the pile of papers. A beam of green light shot out and the papers slipped back into order and appeared back on the desk. "What did you think you would accomplish by doing that?"

Regina's eyes narrowed slightly. She didn't like the way Minerva was speaking to her. She moved around the table and nearly knocked Fawkes off his perch. He squawked at her and flapped his wings to let her know that he was angry.

"He will be the second thing to go once I am Mrs. Albus Dumbledore," smirked Regina "you being the first of course."

"For some reason," replied Minerva "I don't think you have the power of firing staff and getting rid of familiars. Fawkes has been with Albus since he was a boy of four years of age so I don't think Albus will let you dictate his life."

"Oh I am sure I can get Albus to reconsider your presence here at Hogwarts," snapped Regina. "He was only mentioning the other day that a school in France was looking for a head teacher and he said that you would ideal. It seems to me, Minerva, that he is already planning to get rid of you."

Minerva was taken back. She had never discussed with Albus wanting to leave Hogwarts, let alone become the head teacher of another school. He knew that she wanted to remain at Hogwarts. Regina smiled, as she was the hurt expression on her rivals face, mentally congratulating herself for her timing.

"Oh dear," expressed Regina "did I let some slip?"

"I can't believe that for one moment someone like Albus Dumbledore would love some intolerable and selfish woman like yourself," Minerva said as she stood up straight, shoulders back and arms crossed.

"Well, obviously he does," replied Regina with a twisted smile. "He is marrying me after all. You didn't honestly think that he would love someone like you…. a cold hearted, plain old maid!"

"You call me cold hearted then maybe you should look in the mirror," hissed Minerva! "But don't look to closely as you may break it!"

"Ah speaking from experience Minerva," bit back Regina? "Just accept it! You never had a chance in hell of ever holding his heart. Look at you! You are a disgrace to your sex."

Without even realizing it, Minerva had raised her right hand and had slapped Regina across the face. Regina had been caught off guard and stumbled at the force of the slap. She hadn't expected Minerva to lose her temper as she had. Already a bright red handprint shone on Regina's cheek and the witch seemed to be fighting back the tears.

"If he is too blind to see you for what you are then he deserves every miserable minute he is forced to spend with you," hissed Minerva as she towered over Regina who was sitting on the floor, nursing the throbbing cheek! "I can see you for what you are and he only has himself to blame when he finds out what an attention seeking, money hungry bitch you are."

"Minerva!" came a shocked, almost disbelieving voice from behind her.

…To be continued…