Author's Notes: This is an Albus/Minerva set after the end of HBP. If you don't like the pairing don't read. I don't know if I should continue or not, but I just had to comment after I read the book. They've always been one of my favorite couples (besides Remus/Tonks). Constructive criticism okay, flames I will delete. Thank you! I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters. All names belong to J.K. Rowling and their other respective owners.
It was silent, so silent she heard her footsteps echo in the hall. She blearily looked around. Everything seemed to be in a blur, as if she'd suddenly started moving through molasses. Her footsteps bounced off the familiar walls as sights she'd become so accustomed to in all her years of teaching greeted her. She trudged on, reminding herself he would have wanted her to carry on. He would want her to keep fighting Vol, no You-Know-Who, and carry on in the Order of the Phoenix.
The Order of the Phoenix, what would happen to it without Albus Dumbledore as secret keeper? He had been their leader; he'd kept up their spirits. Through it all he'd managed to keep his nerve and faith. Albus was someone who still managed to laugh and have that familiar twinkle of mischief in his eyes even in such dangerous and stressful times as these.
The stone griffin sprung back after she gave the password. Her hair was in its usual bun; her robes were bottle green today, and her hat pointed and crisp. She, Minerva McGonagall was the Transfiguration teacher at Hogwarts. She now sat in the office that had been Albus Dumbledore's. She sat behind his desk, the chair swiveling and peered around. Minerva didn't let on her feelings often, but as she stared around the room a sob caught in her throat. The silver instruments tinkled and whirred. The portraits snoozed and snored. She even saw the Penseive with its mysterious ruins on the side.
Minerva, who had tried to remain composed and regal at Albus's funeral, finally let the tears run down her cheeks. She sobbed, her glasses slipping off her nose and falling with a soft thud on the desk. She spoke to the empty room, her voice hoarse with grief and desperation.
"Albus! What am I doing to do without you! How will we defeat him? How will I run this school?" Minerva hung her head and lay on the cool desk. Minerva to most seemed so cool, composed, and strict. Yet, underneath it all she reserved her emotions to protect herself. She heard a soft rustling beside her.
"No tears, Minerva." Came the soothing, calm voice she was so fond of.
"Albus?" Minerva croaked and hastily wiped her eyes and replaced her glasses.
Indeed, it was the late headmaster. Minerva took in his appearance.
His portrait still had what Albus had had in life. His long white beard and hair trailed behind a velvet chair. His half-moon spectacles were perched on his nose, his blue eyes gazing intently into Minerva McGonagall's.
"Tears don't suit you, Minerva." Albus commented quietly as he surveyed his surroundings.
"Your funeral, I couldn't take it anymore! Why Albus why?" Minerva finally asked desperately.
"I can't say now, I knew I'd meet death by Voldemort's hands eventually." Minerva shivered and twitched at the sound of the evil wizard's name.
Minerva bit her lip and heard Fawkes swoop into the room mysteriously and sit on his perch.
Albus, who was always perceptive on feelings with or without Legimency, finally spoke:
" I sense something is bothering you." Albus commented smoothly as he sat back in his velvet chair.
Minerva gazed at him, they'd been friends and colleagues for so long. She'd learned to trust his judgment. He'd even made her smile at times. She was berating herself for not commenting him more, for not letting herself loose more, for not savoring the little time they'd had. She'd never dreamed he'd be snatched from her so quickly.
After a pregnant pause, Minerva found her voice.
"Were we only friends, Albus?" That sounded so unlike her "usual" reserved self she was surprised at the words.
Albus looked surprised, yet considered her for a moment before peering at her warmly.
"Well, I was always inclined to keep my feelings to myself on this matter. However, over the years I did develop more for you than friendship. I admired you, and then after Voldemort's return," (Minerva again shuddering at the name) "I realized I love you." Albus finished, and Minerva noticed for the second time she'd seen it a faint blush on his cheeks.
They gazed at each other for a moment before she replied.
"I love you to Albus. I didn't think to ever say anything for sounding foolish. You know how I am, keeping behind the strict and reserved exterior. I just wish I could have told you before you died."
Albus surveyed her, regret etched in his features.
"Ah, but one cannot dwell on the past. Minerva, you must live on. You have work to do and Hogwarts needs you as well as Harry."
Minerva nodded and sighed, tears threatening to bite at her eyes again.
"You look exhausted, you need some sleep." Albus said in a concerned voice.
Minerva gave a tiny smile.
"You're right as always." She turned to leave the office of which she was now headmistress and heard his gentle voice call out.
"But do wake me up if I'm sleeping Minerva. We've got a lot to talk about." He smiled lovingly at her and she returned the gesture.