Her Chance Gone

A/N: Many thanks to my lovely beta reader, Ang. Only two more chapters to go now readers!

Chapter Twelve: Blurting it out

Minerva whirled around to see Albus standing in the doorway with shock written all over his face. His eyes gleamed with disbelief and he was staring into her eyes. Minerva didn't answer. Instead she bolted for the door, transforming into her animagus form as she went.

"Oh Albie, thank Merlin you are here," sobbed Regina. "I thought she was going to kill me!"

Albus didn't answer his future wife. He was staring at the door that Minerva had fled through. To say he was shocked would be an understatement. He had never, in all the years he'd known her, seen his Deputy Headmistress act like that and he wanted to get to the bottom of it.

"I'll see you tomorrow," he told Regina, who was on the floor still waiting for him to help her up.

"Where are you going," she demanded?

"I need to speak to Minerva," he stated as he made his way towards the door!

"Don't you dare," Regina hissed as she got to her feet.

"Sleep well and I would bathe that cheek tonight," he told her helpfully, still not looking in her direction.

Albus quickly departed his living quarters and made his way along the quiet corridors of his beloved school. A million and one thoughts were going through his mind as he walked in silence. He made his way towards Minerva's rooms, knowing she would have retreated there instantly. It was her inner sanctuary and she wouldn't let anyone inside, apart from her close friends. He knew that he; Poppy and Xiomara were the only three who had spent time with Minerva in her rooms. He reached the portrait that was the secret doorway to Minerva's room and stood outside.

"I don't think she wants to see you or anyone," pointed out the portrait.

"Tartan Bagpipes," stated Albus, ignoring the portraits ranting.

The portrait reluctantly let him enter and swing shut behind him once he had entered the small reception room. Albus pushed open the door that led to her private study and walked inside. He found it empty and neat. He hadn't expected her in be in there but he thought he had better try. He made his way into the living room and saw Minerva crouched on floor beside the fireplace, sobbing.

"Minerva," he said softly.

"You don't need to tell me," she answered. "I will pack my bags as soon as you leave me alone."

"Pack your bags?" asked Albus in confusion.

"You are here to sack me," she said. "I assaulted Ms. Hardcastle."

Albus was surprised to think she would think he would come after her as he had done just to sack her. The thought of firing her hadn't even entered his mind.

"I am not here to sack you, Minerva, but I would like to know what went on in my office," he replied.

"Nothing," answered Minerva, getting to her feet and walking over of the window!

She gazed out of the window that overlooked the lake. She didn't plan on answering his questions and all she wanted was for him to leave her alone.

"I hardly think it was nothing, Minerva," Albus said. He had followed her for some answers and he wasn't leaving until he got them.

"What are you doing here anyway," snapped Minerva? "You should be comforting Ms. Hardcastle. She is the injured party."

"I am here because I happen to care," replied Albus.

Minerva wanted to laugh out loud but she knew it wasn't the right time or place to do so. If he cared so much for her, why was he marrying some bimbo like Regina Hardcastle? His presence in her rooms was annoying her and she fought the urge to transform and dart off somewhere else.

"Minerva, please talk to me," Albus begged. "What has happened to you?"

"Me?" screeched Minerva as she turned around to glare at him.

"Yes, you," he answered!

"Ask your future wife," she told him.

"I am asking you Minerva, not Regina," he replied. "What is going on?"

Minerva tried to think of something to say to cover her tracks but nothing came to mind. She could never really lie to him. His blue eyes, minus his usual twinkle, were boring right into her and she hoped that he wasn't trying to enter her thoughts. She couldn't let him find out that way.

Albus couldn't understand the witch before him. His best friend was so cold towards him. She wouldn't even look him in the eye for a long period of time. She was pushing him away and he didn't know why. He was having a hard time getting the thought of Minerva hitting Regina out of his head, let alone dealing with this.

"What is going on with you Minerva," he demanded to know?

"Professor Dumbledore, would you kindly leave me alone," she asked as she pushed past him?

"ENOUGH!" bellowed Albus as he grabbed hold of her arms and pulled him to her!

"What is your problem? You have been funny since I returned from my break and now I walk in on a fight."

"My problem is Ms. Hardcastle," Minerva snapped. "Now let me go!"

"Regina?" asked Albus. "What is your problem with her?"

Minerva took a deep breath and counted to ten in her head as she tried to pull away from him. She hadn't wanted to go into this but he had insisted.

"Are you blind?" she finally said. "Can you not see what she is like? She doesn't love you Albus. She is only with you for one thing and that is the fame. You always avoided people like that and now you are to marry one. I never thought I would see you make such a mistake. I am dismayed at your actions and I am shocked that you can't see past the end of your nose when it comes to her."

"Are you finished assaulting the woman I am marrying tomorrow?" he asked.

"No!" she replied.

"Yes you have," he told her sternly. "What gives you the right to judge her? You haven't even given her a chance Minerva. I am in charge of my life and my destiny, not you, not Regina, but me. Why should who I marry be any concern of yours?"

"You don't know?" asked Minerva with tears in her eyes. He hadn't even noticed her. "Have you asked yourself why I avoid you and her or why I suddenly have my headaches?"

"I know you have been working hard, as you always do, this time of year," Albus answered with confusion. She was working herself into the ground preparing for the beginning of the new school year. "But that doesn't explain your strange behaviour."

"I love you, you fool," she blurted out with thinking. "I love you!"

Silence descended on the room and he looked at her, with shock visible in his eyes. Minerva couldn't stand the silence any longer. She had ruined the little friendship they had left and she had to flee. The look on his face was enough to tell her that she had told him the wrong thing and the silence only increased her fears. With a pop, she turned into a small tabby cat and fled from him for the second time that night.

To Be Continued