Wowie...I'm soo glad all these reviewers liked this story and all.. With the break coming up, I might be able to update faster with more time in my hands. I just want to say, to all the people who even cared enough to put an alert, favorite, or even a review--"Thank you so much! Maraming salamat sa 'yong lahat!"

Chapter 4: Unexpected Promotions and Disagreements

Minerva woke to the bed rapping at her door.Who'd be up at this hour? The clock read 10 A.M. Oh, in this case...Everyone..? She walked groggily to the door, opening it to find Albus. She slammed the door, backed up to it and sighed, "Oh, no...not again...bugger..." She opened the door once more, this time, to no one. Out of nowhere, Albuse bursted out, "Good morning! I come in peace!" He held out his hand, making a V sign with the fingers ( \\/ ). The headmaster went inside uninvited.

"Isn't it a little early for this?" Minerva inquired, still in her blue pajamas. "Oops. I should've been dressed by now." The sleepy woman pointed at herself and instantly donned some khaki slacks and a worn-out pink chasmere sweater. "Crud...It didn't work."

"What do you mean? That kind of magic's not exactly basic for a new teacher" Albus eyed her newfound figure, recently revealed after all the blue silk fabric hid it.

"It's not supposed to be Muggle-like," she insisted.

"It doesn't matter...You're beautiful."

"Aaaaanyhoo," Albus first recovered from the momentary relapse. "These are your duties for the feast tonight." Just as he came in, he went out without a word.

XXX

"Welcome to Hogwarts," the Transfiguration teacher declared. "Through these doors, we we will begin our Sorting process." She went on about her duties, but she did find it awkward that she was the one who had to do all this. I had to do the Sorting itself,too, she thought. When Minerva came back, every seat was occupied except next to the Headmaster. Damn.

She took the chair and sat down. Minerva tried to catch Amelia's eye, but the hawk-eyed woman tried her very best to look away. Albus stood up. "I'd like to welcome you all to another exiting year at Hogwarts. Let us please allow a moment's silence for the late Headmaster Armando Dippet for his services through all these years..." Minerva tuned out all the noise while "Professor Lilycove" listened rather admiringly at the Headmaster. "And now, I welcome two new teachers, Minerva McGonagall and Amelia Hooch! Professor McGonagall will be teaching Transfiguration, and Madam Hooch would cover the Quidditch arena! It is also my great pleasure to give you our new deputy Headmistress--Minerva McGonagall (tsk, tsk, fancy that)!" She immediately snapped out of her daze. The students clapped and cheered. She saw the Herbology teacher's smile slide off. "It's time to rest for tomorrow. Off you go!"

Minerva was about to patrol the halls when Horace Slughorn stopped her. "I was wondering, Headmistress, if ou would join me for a walk in the gardens?"

"I'm afraid I can't, Professor...You see, I need to make sure that the students get to bed before their first day."

Uh-huh, sure you do, you conniving little smart-ass who stole my promotion. "No, that's alright. It IS your new job as the Deputy Headmistress."

"Then, if you'll excuse me..." Minerva moved out of his way.

Oh, I'll get that job, one way or another...I will...

MEANWHILE...

"Albus, why didn't I get Deputy!" Penelope cried, almost to tears. "I thought were gonna be the first married couple to run Hogwarts. Do you realize the kind of history it'll make!"

"Penny, I didn't want to put you through all that stress handling that job... Your plants need more attending to--even more so for me."

"Oh, Albus!" She buried her tear-streaked face in his robes while the Headmaster hugged her back.

XXX

"Why didn't you tell me I was Headmistress?" Minerva stormed into Dumbledore's office.

"Wasn't it written in the parchment I gave you?"

"Would i be here if it was?"

"I'm sorry."

"You're forgiven," Minerva turned around, feeling triumphant in the battle of words.

"But, wouldn't you think that it's understandable, though? You've done the duties that a normal deputy would do... Couldn't you have inferred from that implied meaning?"

Ugh...Damn, he's not going down without a fight, trying to make me look stupid...Fixed at her stance, she said with building temper, "Now, that's just wrong; you haven't informed me of the position verbally. I would think that a special promotion such as this would require that. Instead, the whole school knew a nanosecond after I did!" She finally faced him. "You call that implied?"

"I said I was sorry, and you forgave me. That, supposedly, was the end of that..If you saw a boy covered with chocolate, you wuld assume that he ate it, am I correct?"

"That isn't the same!" exclaimed Minerva. Albus paid no attention.

"Anyone can assume that a girl cries after losing her favorite doll...And, I'm sure, if a man kisses a lady, one would assum that he has an amount of likeness for her." Albus caught her eyes, staring her down.

And just like he did before, Albus neared Minerva. This time, she knew what he was about to do, yet, she didn't do anything to stop it. The kiss happened, alright, but its message was delivered across easier than its precedent. Some amount of likeness, whoo-wee..., thought Minerva.

Oh, damn it, Minerva! You're kissing an engaged man, the THIRD time now! Stop this nonsense! her conscience screeched.

Her feelings replied, What do you think I should do? Besides, the first one doesn't count that was before he was engaged!

I don't care! Just end it now!

Without further ado, Minerva stepped back, and following her conscience, did something. She slapped Albus (don't ask me...). Albus seemed unsurprised while Minerva gathered herself together, gasping in disbelief as well as for loss of air.

"I do believe that we all need some sleep, Professor McGonagall. You teach first thing tomorrow, and I certainly do NOT want my deput bedraggled after..." he locked his gaze on her. "...wrestling her inner conflicts. Was that all you came here for, or is there something else you wish to tell me?"

"No, sir... that'll be all." Minerva touched her lip absently. "Good night, Professor."

"Yes, yes, good night. Oh, and Minerva?" She turned around once more. "Sweet dreams, lo--" Albus didn't finish. She was out the door. "--ve." He murmured softly.

Have you liked it so far? The next chapter, is supposed to be on the first day and a big plot that can endanger the, ahem, love triangle?... Here's some replies to my reviewers...This is from all the way in the prologue...Bear with me.

gaahMinerva: I know, huh! I liked the plot too!

HMS Frivolity and Felines: This things just getting started...

Brigid McG: Oh, no, never a one-shot! Why would it be?

ismaco: erm...I might imagine lemons, but I might not be able to put it in words...

Lady Epur: Sorry for the delay in updating...It's not my fault! I didn't know how to update the stupid thing!

skichik: I know...I can't! I gotta get these two people hitched! (image of a baby cupid winking...)

hammer ( ): Oh, you totally get it! but see the dilemma , though? look through penelope's eyes if she knew all this (she might eventually, hint, hint...: they've been engaged for ages, and suddenly some lady walks in and has her fiancee in knots! see though, whatever the story's outcome, there's bound to be some kind of hurt for at least the three of them (again, hint, hint!)