New Year, New Start

Chapter Seven: Explaining the Moods

Albus looked at Minerva, his eyes encouraging her to speak to him. He didn't want to pester Minerva for answers because he knew that she wasn't a witch to push. He didn't want to find himself with jelly legs like Severus Snape had discovered when he had made a comment about "women's problems" explained her moods. Albus knew that she would talk to him in her own time and he felt privileged to be one of the few that knew her like this.

"We have known each other for a long time," said Minerva as she rested back into her chair.

"Since your school days, my dear," Albus answered with a smile. He remembered her as a bubbly and approachable Head Girl who had a passion for learning but also for causing a bit of mischief, something that she denies to this very day.

"Yes, a long time," she replied softly, flashing him a brief smile. "We can talk about pretty much anything, can't we?"

"I like to think we can," answered Albus. "Though I do draw a line when it comes to talking about men. I don't think it would be taken well if someone overheard the Headmaster talking about men's bottoms!"

"I have never spoken about men's bottoms in my life," cried Minerva in mock outrage before smiling. "Well, not since my school days."

Minerva and Albus both broke into laughter and the tension in the air seemed to evaporate. Minerva smiled. She should have known that Albus would make her laugh. He had always possessed the ability to make her smile even in the grimiest of times. She couldn't describe her feelings for the man sitting on her desk because she didn't know what they were.

She knew that she felt more than a best friend should for a best friend but she wasn't sure how deep her feelings actually went. She had shut her heart to love a long time ago, believing it for fools. Some people say love is a weakness while others say it is a strength. Minerva had no opinion on love except for the fact that she wished she had it in her life now. She hadn't cared about it until the stunners. The attack on her had made her look at her life and she wasn't happy with what she saw.

"Do you think it is to late to change?" she asked.

Albus looked at her, confusion etched on his forehead.

"In what sense do you mean…change?" he enquired.

"Life," she answered thoughtfully.

Albus hadn't expected an answer like that. He had never been asked such a question and wasn't sure how to respond at first.

"It is possible," he said. "But it may not be the life that needs to be changed but the way you look at it."

"As helpful as ever," she replied somewhat sarcastically.

Albus raised an eyebrow and got up to leave but a hand on his sleeve stopped him. He turned around and saw Minerva looking at him, sorrow in her eyes. He knew that he could never be cross with her for long. He really wanted to know what was wrong with his best friend and the woman he secretly loved.

"Minerva, what has brought this on?" he questioned as he sat back down on the desk.

"I had a joke played on me yesterday," she revealed. "It was cruel in nature."

Albus felt his blood pump around his body. How dare someone play a trick on Minerva? He, like the rest of the wizarding world, liked a good trick but when they were cruel he hated them. He racked his own brain trying to think of what could have happened and who would have done it. He also questioned why she hadn't come to him sooner about it.

"I received a gift yesterday," she continued, "It was delivered by a school owl. Oh, before I continue about the gift, I must remind you to book some owl lessons for the owls this year. They are getting worse with their sloppy delivering."

"I have noted your request," Albus replied as a nauseous feeling settled in his stomach.

"Anyway, the gift was a delightful box of handmade chocolates," she explained. She failed to notice the look of horror on the Headmasters face. "Inside the chocolates there were little notes that confessed love and desire. Whoever made them spent a lot of time making these but what I don't understand is why spend so much time on a hurtful joke?"

Albus felt as though a brick had been dropped on him. She thought all his hard work had been some type of cruel joke. He hadn't even thought they would be taken that way. He wanted them to be received with joy. He hadn't expected to be having this conversation about them. Instead, he had expected her to tell him about her secret admirer.

"Wh-what makes you think they are a joke?" he asked.

"Well, there was no note from whomever they were from," she told him. "And I don't get gifts like that. I get books or figurines of tabby cats. I don't get chocolates with love notes inside."

"They could be genuine Minerva," he pressed on. "They must be because of the time and effort put into them."

"They are fake Albus," she answered. "A cruel joke on me. For one moment, I thought they were genuine and I can't believe I was so stupid to think that! I mean look at me! Who could ever love me? I am unapproachable, frosty, old, and scarred for life. Who in their right mind could want me?"

Albus wanted to tell her that he wanted her but he couldn't because her class started to arrive in the classroom that adjoined her office. Minerva got to her feet and smoothed down her robes. She laid a hand on his arms and smiled.

"I feel better after getting that off my chest," she told him. "Thank you and I'll see you at lunch.

Albus watched her sweep into the classroom sadly. His well meant plan to woo her had been a disaster and he would have to think of something else to capture her heart.

To be continued!