Chapter 10: The Courting Begins

It had taken Minerva a long time to fall asleep after Albus' kiss the night before, but she still woke with the sun. She stretched and rolled over, trying to enjoy those few moments of peace between sleeping and waking up fully. That was when she noticed something lying on the pillow beside her. Sitting up and lighting a few candles with her wand Minerva discovered that it was a beautiful rose and a small piece of parchment. Smiling softly, she reached for the note, instantly recognizing Albus' loopy handwriting and purple ink.

Good morning, my dear, I hope you slept well.

I have not slept at all, thinking of ways to let you know how much you mean to me. I never realized before last night just how I feel for you, but I will never forget. You are my best friend and my right hand in all things, but you are so much more than that as well. You are my last thought at night and my first thought in the morning and very often occupy the time in between. I want to spend my days talking to you and my nights holding you.

I believe the school can spare us for one evening during the holidays so I have arranged for us to have dinner out. I hope you will agree to accompany me on this small outing. You can give me your answer when I arrive at your rooms to escort you to breakfast.

Counting the minutes until I see you again,

Albus

Minerva smiled and read the note over two more times, deciding that Albus sounded like a man in love. However, after her previous disappointment she vowed not to assume anything and take this slowly. She couldn't help feeling a bit like a giddy schoolgirl at the thought of dinner out with Albus, though, and scolded herself for it.

While Minerva was waking up to his note, Albus was just finishing his plans for their evening out and trying to decide what to wear that day. Suddenly everything in his closet seemed too bright, the colors all appeared to clash too much. He knew Minerva preferred simplicity in all things and she had often teased him that his robes made her head hurt. Albus wanted to make sure that whatever he wore today did not offend her. It was the beginning of a new year, and he hoped a new phase of his life, and he could hardly sit still as he counted down the time until breakfast.

Finally, it was seven-thirty and Albus descended the stairs from his rooms to begin the walk to Minerva's chambers. He knocked nervously on her door and thought for a moment that she wasn't going to answer. Then she opened the door with a smile and invited him inside. Minerva hadn't finished getting ready for the day yet and her hair was still falling loosely down her back. Albus couldn't resist the urge to reach out and capture some of the silky locks between his long fingers.

"You have beautiful hair, Minerva; you should leave it down more often."

"It gets in my way when I'm working, but maybe I'll wear it down tonight," she answered with a coy smile.

"Big date tonight?" he asked in an attempt at their usual banter, but his voice came out a bit strained.

Minerva almost laughed; he was so cute when he was nervous. She managed to suppress the urge to laugh as she began pinning her hair up. "Oh yes," she answered. "Big date with a very famous wizard...unless he decides to take back his offer."

"Never," Albus answered with a smile. "But let's forget the famous part."

"You know you're so much more to me than that, Albus," she said seriously. "I wouldn't care if no one knew who you were."

"I know," he said. "And I can never thank you enough for that."

"I think I know you too well to let your press clippings influence the way I look at you," she replied. "Shall we go to breakfast?" In answer, Albus looped Minerva's arm through his and led the way to the Great Hall.

The rest of the day passed like any other at Hogwarts, except that both Albus and Minerva spent more time thinking about their date than working. Albus had asked Minerva to meet him in the entrance hall at seven-thirty so they could go to the restaurant, but he wouldn't give her any other details. At five-thirty, she put away the essays she had been grading and returned to her rooms to bathe and get dressed. Albus had been distracted from his work all day and finally put it away around six to begin getting ready for the date.

He took a shower and trimmed his hair and beard before combing them till they shined and then began the process of deciding what to wear. It proved to be much more difficult to find the perfect robes for dinner with Minerva than it had been to find something to wear that morning. Eventually, Albus chose a dark blue set of robes with silver moons and stars on the hem. He thought the blue set off his eyes and the silver matched his hair. As was his custom, Albus made sure to be in the entrance hall well before the appointed time and he paced the flagged stone floors slowly as he waited for Minerva.

Minerva had taken a long hot bath with her new jasmine and rose bath oil and washed her hair before slipping into a set of light blue robes she had purchased a long time ago but never found occasion to wear. She cast a drying charm over her hair and brushed it out, fully intending to wear it down as she had promised. However, then she realized that the long dark locks would get in her way while eating and she panicked trying to think of a quick and easy way to style her hair. Glancing at the clock, Minerva realized she had only ten minutes to do her hair and get all the way downstairs. She would never make it.

At quarter to eight, Albus was beginning to wonder if Minerva had changed her mind or if something had happened to her. He had made reservations for eight and they really needed to leave soon. After a few moments more of indecision, Albus headed in the direction of Minerva's rooms. He knocked loudly and heard her call out that she would be right there. A moment later a very flustered, but still beautiful Minerva opened the door for him.

"I'm sorry, I know I'm late," she said in a desperate voice. "It's my hair, I tried to leave it down while keeping it out of my way and now it's just a mess."

"It looks perfect to me," Albus said quietly, surprised to see her so upset about such a small matter.

Minerva glared at him. "It doesn't look perfect!" she said with exasperation. Then she added, more quietly, "And I wanted to look nice for you tonight."

He put a hand on her shoulder and turned her to face him. "Minerva, I like you just the way you are. You don't have to do anything to impress me. I think your hair is wonderful, but if you're more comfortable wearing it up then fix it that way." He leaned in and kissed her softly. "I just want to spend time with you, I don't care how you look. You'll always be beautiful to me."

She shook her head, "I know I'm being silly..."

"Come here," Albus said, holding out his hand. Minerva took it and was surprised when he led her to stand in front of the mirror. He stood behind her, resting his hands on her waist, and said softly. "Look in the mirror, Minerva, I want you to see what I see when I look at you."

Then he surprised her again by reaching up to her hair. Albus threaded his long fingers through her hair just above her ears and twisted the strands around his fingers, conjuring a thin ribbon to match her robes and securing the hair with a simple knot. The long ends of the ribbon blended in with the long black waves of her hair. Minerva thought it looked perfect.

"Where did you learn to do that?" she asked in awe.

"I had a cousin who was a Muggle and studied hair dressing; she used to practice on myself and Aberforth when we were younger."

Minerva laughed, imagining Albus with braids and ribbons in his hair. He pretended to look hurt and she turned to face him. "I'm sorry I laughed at you, and I'm very glad you remembered something from what must have been a traumatic experience."

He smiled, "It's quite alright, my dear. I never thought that knowledge would come in handy. Well, are you ready? Our reservation is in just a few minutes."

"I'm ready," she answered.

Albus pulled a small silver object out of his pocket and held it in the palm of his hand. He held his hand out to Minerva and she covered both the portkey and his hand with her own smaller one. A moment later, they had disappeared from Minerva's rooms. When they landed, Albus threw an arm around Minerva to steady her so she didn't fall so that she ended up flush against his chest, blushing slightly.

Tilting her head up Minerva almost gasped to find his lips so close to hers. Amused at seeing Minerva's reaction Albus placed a gentle kiss to her sweet lips before taking her hand and leading her down the road on which they had landed.

"Albus, where are we?"

"I grew up in this area, and I know the owner of a fine establishment in town. He assured me we would not be disturbed, and knowing most of the people around here I'm confident that they will keep what they see to themselves. I didn't want to go somewhere with too many prying eyes; I hope you will like it since it isn't London."

"I'm sure I will, Albus. You know I do not like gawking crowds either, so I have confidence I will love this place."

"And the pressure mounts," Albus joked causing Minerva to laugh.

"Oh yes Master Dumbledore, I have nothing but the highest expectations," Minerva countered seriously but added only after a slight pause, "and you always manage to well surpass any I could set. Don't worry, Albus."

Squeezing her hand Albus continued to lead Minerva into a quaint village with cobblestone roads lined with tightly quartered houses and stores. As Minerva moved down the street a look of enchantment settled upon her face: she had always loved exploring the small towns and villages of Europe; she studied the architecture as carefully as she could considering the pace at which Albus was leading her down the street.

So focused on the houses she barely registered Albus turning to the right and leading her down another street. Looking toward the end of the street she noticed what had to be their destination. The restaurant was of average size, but Minerva loved the look of the old bricks and the way ivy had wound itself up the side of the building.

A romantic atmosphere permeated throughout the building: echoed in wood paneling, beautiful chandeliers giving off a soft glow, as small tables sat scattered around the separate rooms. As they were lead to their table Minerva noticed several dark corners she was sure a couple could get quite lost in. Their table was not as secluded as some of those, but the most light around it was provided by several floating candles.

Taking her seat Minerva looked across the table to find him watching her intently, "It is beautiful Albus, how long has it been around?"

"This particular place is roughly one hundred years old, and only minimal changes have been made. Do you really like it?"

Reaching for his hand across the table Minerva assured Albus she did, and she listened patiently as he suggested various entrees he was sure she would love. Dinner progressed far too quickly for the couple as they ate, and spoke about topics they were sure they had exhausted in their friendship only to find they always ended up having more to say.

As dinner neared its end Albus helped Minerva to her feet, and summoned her cloak. Securing it around her shoulders Albus led Minerva to doors in the back of the restaurant, and outside onto a dance floor. The floor was deserted now due to the chill in the air, but with a simple flick of his wand music filled the air.

"May I have this dance, milady," Albus asked bending so low that his beard swept the floor.

"Of course, milord." Albus effortlessly lead Minerva through a waltz around the floor before the song changed, and he drew her closer for a slower song. Resting her head on Albus' shoulder Minerva found herself forgetting about how cold it was outside, and just letting her senses take over. Closing her eyes she sighed contently as Albus placed a kiss to the top of her head.

Hours and a variety of dances later Minerva could no longer pretend she wasn't cold, "Albus as much as I've loved this aren't you cold?"

"I do suppose we've been out here for too long," he replied stopping their movements. "Why don't we go back to the castle? We can warm up there."

Nodding in agreement it wasn't long before they were off again, and Albus once again steadied Minerva as they landed in his sitting room. Like before they shared a gentle kiss, only this one lead to one more kiss and then another.

Finally stepping back Minerva ended their little snog session, "I do believe I'm warm now. Thank you for an enjoyable evening, I'd best get to bed."

"Let me walk you to your rooms," Albus immediately replied as she moved toward the door. Half way to Minerva's room her small hand came away from her side, and she threaded her fingers through Albus'.

Once at her door they shared one longer goodnight kiss before Minerva bade goodnight.

Albus and Minerva enjoyed the rest of the holiday before the students came back in each other's exclusive company. Knowing getting away would be harder once the students returned they left each day for a small outing, even if it was just to Hogsmeade, intent upon using their last days without students to oversee well.