Not again!
Summary: Minerva's mum try's to set her up again, in the hope of finding her a husband. Question is who's the hubby-to-be?
Disclaimer: if only, if only, if only………
Chapter one: A Mistake or Not?
Much later that evening…
Minerva had sat through dinner, although all she ate was a piece of bread.
She had told Albus earlier that she was going out tonight into London, if by any chance she was needed at Hogwarts. He had looked somewhat pained when she had told him, but she put it down to something personal. Apart from asking Albus if he was okay, to which he answered yes, she could pry no more. He would tell her if he wanted to, and if not, she wouldn't press.
Her dilemma now however was, what do I wear!
She couldn't wear her practical emerald robes, one because they weren't appropriate, and two they were going to Muggle London. It was slightly hard to fit in with Muggles if you didn't dress like one. This meant that she had 3 choices; and all were bound to give Adian the wrong idea as they clung to her slim frame and showed a bit more of her skin than she was happy about. Deciding that black was better than crimson or pale blue, she quickly put it on.
With her hair already done, all she had to do was put on matching black shoes, and get her bag.
Looking at the mahogany grandfather clock which had just seconds before chimed 8:30, Minerva walked over to her portrait entrance, pushed it open and accidentally hit Albus smack bang in the face.
"Oh my God, Albus I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there… are you okay? No broken nose or anything else? I'm real-" Minerva started until Albus cut her off
"Minerva! Calm down. It's okay, I'm okay." He started to rub his nose and added ruefully "Though I'm not sure my nose would thank you right now for it."
"Oh Albus, I'm sorry I really am. I don't suppose there is anything I can do for your nose though, maybe you should go see Poppy to make sure it's not broken or anything."
"Ah Minerva, ever the Mother. I'm alright truly, I wouldn't want to disturb Poppy for something as small as this." His breath caught though when he saw the look in Minerva's eyes.
Mothering, MOTHERING! Is that what he thinks a little concern is, well I show him mothering. And before she had stopped to think about what she was doing, she lent up to kiss his nose. And from there it was only a very, very short distance to his lips.
She couldn't believe that she was finally kissing Albus, his lips tasted slightly of chocolate she thought. She felt him stiffen though and knew she shouldn't be doing this, pulling away she looked at Albus. It was his eyes that she would blame later, they seemed to search into her, and draw it out before she could stop it.
"I love you…" it wasn't until the words were said out loud that realisation dawned upon her. It was too much to take, and courage had left her, she fled. It wasn't until she was in the entrance hall that she stopped and fixed herself up in the mirror. Thankfully the damage was minimal.
Albus was still in a state of shock; he couldn't believe that Minerva, beautiful Minerva had kissed him. Her lips were as soft as they looked he thought absently. It had been to late he'd realised he had stiffened in shock instead of kissing her back.
And then she said she loved him… She loved him? Was that what she really said?
Thinking back he recalled the way she looked at him, and then 'I love you'. She had said it, he wasn't dreaming. The look that was in her eyes, the look of love as she said it was imprinted in his mind. She loved him, it wasn't hopeless. She loved him.
To Albus everything was blurred, all he could see was Minerva. Yet she had run away, he had blown it. Damn his body for being so shocked. But had he blown it?
What about her lover, the man she wanted to marry? Did she mistake him for that man? No she couldn't have, still Albus couldn't help but think what now?
Running to the window he saw Minerva meet a man at the gates.
His keen eyes took in every action between them. As far as he could tell there was no sign that they were lovers. There was no hugging, kissing, or even linkage of arms. He saw the man pull something out of his pocket, and them both grab hold of it. A portkey he realised as they both disappeared, presumably off to London.
Deciding he had to know for sure Albus hurried out onto the grounds, once he was past the gates, he transfigured his robes into muggle clothing and apparated to London.
Having no idea where they would be, he pulled out his wand and muttered a few well-chosen words. An image of Minerva walking into a restaurant not far from where he was flickered in front of Albus. With a flick of his wand it was gone again.
Minerva was having a wonderful time. Adian shared many common interests with her, and as they conversed she found herself forgetting about Albus and the kiss. They were so open; she found it was so easy to tell Adian things she wouldn't have told anyone normally. She could also tell it was the same for him.
Desert came and went, and it wasn't until the coffee came that she felt the atmosphere change. Looking Minerva in the eye Adian spoke.
"Minerva, I have to say this… but I don't quite know how to put it."
Minerva sensed that what he was going to say was really important for him, and she also had something to tell him to, she had been waiting for the right moment all night. Giving him an encouraging nod she gave him all her attention.
"It's been a great evening and I really enjoyed it, but I… but it can only stay as one evening. That is I mean we have to stay as friends…. I'm sorry if you err, thought… um… Otherwise."
Minerva felt suddenly much better; she had been worried about hurting his feelings, to find out that she didn't have to was a blessing.
"Adian", she started smiling "would you believe that I was about to say something similar? Do you mind me asking why though?"
He gave her a searching look, and he seemed to be satisfied by what he found, as he mumbled, " I already love some one else. Some-one who I don't think even knows who I am."
After his admission Minerva also told him her own reasons.
"I know how you feel, I love some one as well. I have loved them for awhile now but … well we work together and I don't think they had any idea how I feel."
Adian was dragged out of his own thoughts at what Minerva said, and his curiosity was resurrected at who it was. Yet when he thought about it he could only think of one person. Albus.
"Albus?" he questioned softly. Within only a single dinner they had become close, possibly a remains of their friendship at Hogwarts was the blame.
With an intake of breath at his perceptiveness, she agreed.
"Yes, who is it that you…." she stopped there unsure about how to end.
"It was a woman that I met when I was doing my prac at St Mungo's, Poppy Pomfrey. Yet the silly thing is I have no idea where she is these days, I should have told her when I could but I… I couldn't. To this day I still don't know why really."
"Possibly because you didn't think that she would feel the same way?" Minerva said, using her own excuse for not telling Albus.
"I might be able to help you though, 'she continued, "Poppy is currently the medi-witch at Hogwarts. You know what I'm sure I can get her to come to my family's get together on Sunday. How about it?" Holding a breath, she waited for his answer, she could always tell him that Poppy loved him… but no she couldn't do that.. It wasn't right. If she could get them together, then all would be well.
"Would you do that? I mean its not like you have to, but would you mind doing that? I'd really appreciate it."
Seeing the way that Adian's face lit up at the prospect of meeting Poppy, Minerva was glad she knew that they would make it work.
"Of course I would."
And their conversation once more became a steady flow of words.
Albus had watched them for a while, and when he was satisfied that they weren't lover's he hatched a plan. A plan to woo Minerva.
Granted she claimed that she loved him, and the look in her eyes told him that it was the truth. She was still yet to find out how he felt about her.
Rules of engagement said that one must always give back what they received. Whether it was an material item, or not. Smiling Albus thought of another meaning to the word engagement. One that he found much more inviting to ponder on.
He wanted Minerva to be his wife, but he wouldn't count his chickens before they hatched. Yeah right, Albus added to the thoughts, he did hope that some where down the line Minerva would accept him as a Husband. Just not quite right now.
Yet what could he do for her? Should he see her as soon as she got back, or wait until morning? Realising that if he left it until morning she would probably retreat and hide behind a mask that hid her feelings. No he had to do it straight away, before she got the chance to properly get under control.
He had to surprise her… unsettle her…. That meant he would have to do something in her rooms. But what?
Something simple, yet something meaningful. Long ago he had asked her about what romantic gestures appealed to her. She had told him simple things that were from the heart. And then it came to him. The best plan to get Minerva into his arms so he could tell her he loved her.
(A/N) Happy Valentines Day to you all, these infuriating school computers will finally let me do this. Btw can anyone actually was a Beta reader does, I see the word brandied about all the time and the best I can come up with is that they're a correction reader, is this right?
(A/N I) I'm currently suffering from severe lack of sleep, anything that is wrong I blame that for it.
Banana Princess: Thanks; you know I'm really new to writing and I didn't think I had a writing style, glad that you like it anyhow.
TartanLioness: I agree poor Minerva, I'm glad that my mum doesn't but into my life like that, mind you she doesn't actually want to know about it, so I guess that's different.
AdandMMforever: Thank you so much for your continued reviews, they really make my day. I suppose Albus does seem a little dense but then when isn't anyone from the male race dense? I'm yet to find one…..
Intelligent Witch: Thanks for your review, I'm glad that you think it's a good start. I hope the rest is just as good then.
Lady Urguentha: well now that a few more chpts are up I guess you can tell what happened next lol.
Kayjaylc: Don't worry ADMM all the way! Couldn't ever consider something else.
Always Hopeful: I love the pen name, very optimistic, I'm glad that you liked it, and I hope you like the rest as well.
TabbyKit: Fair enough I don't think I'm very good at writing these out either; it made me happy that you took the time to review anyway.
Lou. McGonagall: Pressure all you like, it's a proven fact that I work much better under pressure. Though I always leave things to the last minute so I don't remember not having pressure.
Bogus7: I hope that you still want more after this.
