When Albus had helped Kathleen unpack, they talked. He loved her very much and he had missed her ever since school started. He had spent the summer with her and they'd had so much fun. When it was almost dinner, Albus left her to let her change her clothes and went to Minerva's chambers as usual to escort her to the Great Hall. But when he knocked he received no answer. He knocked a bit harder. Still nothing. Then he bagan pounding on her door. Nothing. He spoke the password and hurried into Minerva's livingroom, afraid something had happened to her. She wasn't there. He searched every corner of her chambers until only one place was left unsearched. Her bedroom. He quietly opened the door and there she lay. Her hair had come loose from her bun and was spread over her pillow. Albus entered the bedroom carefully, as if it was some sacret place. He studied her features. She was so beautiful. Never had he seen another woman looking so angellic. He didn't want to wake her up but she needed to eat. And maybe this was his chance to talk to her. He shook her gently. "Minerva. Minerva. Minerva wake up," said Albus softly. Minerva opened her eyes slowly and looked at him, sleep clouding her eyes. "Albus? Is that you?"
"Yes, Minerva. It's me. Wake up. You have to get something to eat." Suddenly it seemed as Minerva woke up fully. "Albus! What are you doing in here?" She got out of bed and ran into her bathroom. Albus sighed. What is the matter with her? Why is she putting up a wall between us? Then he left her.
Minerva redid her bun quickly, straightened her robe and made sure Albus was out of her chambers before making her way to dinner. As she entered the Great Hall she noticed that the woman, was seated in her usual chair on Albus' right side. Well, what did I expect? She sighed, then made her way to the chair beside the woman.
"Hello, you must be Minerva McGonagall. I'm Kathleen White. It's nice to meet you. Albus has told me so much about you." Minerva already knew that the woman's name was Kathleen. She had read it in the letter but she had stuck with calling her 'the woman' as if that would make her a stranger Minerva didn't have to meet.
"Hello, ms. White. Yes, I am Minerva McGonagall. I'm afraid Albus haven't told me about you." Minerva forced a little smile. If this was the woman Albus loved then she would have to try and be nice to her. After all, Kathleen White seemed to be a quite nice person. Which is the problem. If she's nice I can't hate her and I want to hate her so much! She has Albus' love. And she's nice to me! Like we could be friends! But I can't be friends with her! It'll tear out my heart!
"Oh, please, call me Kathleen," Kathleen said.
Minerva turned her focus to her plate. She ate as quickly as possible and then excused herself as soon as it was polite. Albus' eyes followed her as she left the Great Hall. Kathleen noticed this and frowned.
That evening Kathleen went in search of Minerva. She had a bone to pick with the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts.
As Kathleen stepped into Minerva's classroom she finally found her, burried in work. Minerva was scribbling away on a piece of parchment. "Minerva?"
Minerva looked up. She closed her eyes slowly and sighed. As she opened her eyes again, she answered, "Yes, ms… Kathleen?"
"I was wondering if I could have a word with you, Minerva." Minerva nodded and as she made a move to organize her desk one of her quills fell to the floor. Minerva bent down to pick it up but so did Kathleen and as they both reached for it Minerva noticed the rings on Kathleen's left hand. Her head snapped up and she stood abruptly, "I'm sorry, ms. White. Can we discuss it another time? I have to correct my Ravenclaw fouth year essays." She sat down again. Kathleen frowned but left the classroom. I wonder what is the matter with her. First she nodded and then she says she has essays to correct? I don't understand that woman!
Minerva had, of course, already corrected all her essays and went to bed. She lay there, staring at the black ceiling, thinking. Rings. Two rings. One gold the other with a diamond. On the hand of Kathleen White. But why would she call herself White? Any woman should be proud to call herself Dumbledore. Minerva knew she would be damn proud. Why hadn't Albus told her he was married? Did he not trust her with such a secret? She could understand why he hadn't made it official. With Voldemort back, it could be dangerous. Kathleen could be killed to get to Albus. But why had he not told her? The rings had looked worn. Not new. They had to be about ten years old. Why hadn't he told her?
The next morning Minerva didn't feel like getting out of bed. She just wanted to stay in bed forever and forget all about Albus and Kathleen and the rings. But she had a responsibility. She was a teacher and she could not neglect her students just because she had a bad day. So she left the warmth of her bed to take a shower. She found her black silk dress and put it on. She brushed her hair so it shone, then put it in it's bun. Then she grabbed her emerald robe and put it on, walking to breakfast. She would usually wait for Albus to escort her but she had a feeling he would be escorting another woman to breakfast that day. As she rounded the last corner she saw Albus pect Kathleen on the forehead. Kathleen went into the Great Hall and Albus turned around as if he was going somewhere. "Ah, Minerva. I was just about to go pick you up."
"No need, Albus. I can walk to breakfast, lunch and dinner by myself. You just make sure to escort ms. White." Minerva did not even stop to say more to him. She went diretly past him, to the doors, while she was speaking and when she said 'ms. White' she opened the doors and walked briskly to her seat.
Albus stood dumbfounded. Never had she spoken to him like that. He hurried into the Hall and saw Minerva quickly eating. He was sure she ate so fast to be able to disappear as soon as possible.
A few days went like this. Every day Minerva would go to breakfast, lunch and dinner alone and leave as soon as it was polite. But one day Kathleen had had it. After dinner she went directly to Minerva's classroom, striding in without knocking.
"You listen here, Minerva McGonagall! I don't know you that well but I am sure this is not your usual behaviour. Albus has told me so much about your wit and your intelligense and you temper. All your sides. The way you always seem to be able to surprise him. But I have only experienced one side of you. Ever since I came I have noticed that you were cold and distant. And when I bent to pick up that quill you dropped on my first night here, you suddenly got all defensive and formal. Minerva, I had hoped we could be friends but I see that you have no intention of having anything to do with me or Albus as long as I'm here."
Minerva looked so calm it was almost frightning. "Will you please knock before you enter my classroom?" She went back to her essays. Friends! She want us to be friends! Merlin knows so do I but I just can't… She has Albus… The only man I have ever loved! And his WIFE wants us to be friends!!!