Betrayal

Adrenaline pumped through my veins as I dressed in more suitable clothes after my last quidditch game before leaving for Hogwarts.

Dumbledore had sent an owl saying that I had the position of flying instructor and I had insisted that Minerva forgive me first. That was her place and I didn't want to intrude. Albus wrote me back immediately saying that she would be in Holyhead for my last game and would meet me afterward to talk and forgive me formally.

Minerva and I may not have parted on good terms, but I hadn't ever stopped loving her. I often dreamed of riding my broom up to her tower chambers at Hogwarts and sweeping her up into my arms to carry her away. She was quick, though, and doing that without warning could get me hexed.

I chose green dress robes that looked a lot like the ones I had worn on Minerva and my first date. "She'll like these," I told myself. "They'll bring back memories, hopefully only good ones."

I was hoping that Minerva actually did forgive me and that Albus wasn't forcing her to meet with me.

"Everything must be perfect," I told myself firmly. I looked at my watch and was shocked. "Damn! I'm going to be late to meet Min!" I pulled the green dress robes on and grabbed my wand.

Five minutes later, I was in the restaurant's waiting room. I use the term restaurant loosely. This was more like a nightclub. This was usually such a classy place. I shrugged. There was nothing I could do now.

I began to tire of waiting so I slipped around the hostess and elbowed my way through the crowd, wishing I had chosen somewhere else to meet Minerva. I managed to reach the bar.

I wished I could have controlled my hormones. I saw a leggy brunette drinking firewhiskey and I quickly walked over to her and sat down. She seemed slightly drunk and had quite the temper.

"Bartender! Another firewhiskey!" she yelled, her speech slightly slurred.

"Don't you think you've had enough, lady?" he asked from directly in front of her.

"Don't you 'lady' me! I'll tell… I'll tell you when I've had enough! Another firewhiskey!"

The My observation was correct. She turned to face me and then looked me up and down. Her eyes widened and she sobered immediately.

"Xiomara?" she asked.

Surely this wasn't Minerva? Then again, Minerva never could hold her liquor. I looked into the woman's beautiful hazel eyes. "Minerva?"

Her eyes widened again. "Another firewhiskey!" she screeched again, still slightly drunk.

"Do you know this la…" the bartender began before Minerva turned and shot him a glare, "woman?"

I looked to Minerva and smiled. "Yes."

"I think she needs to go home."

I nodded. "Minerva, what do you say we go somewhere nicer?"

"Fine," Minerva said getting up, still carrying a large, half-full bottle of firewhiskey. She swayed slightly when she stood. I put out an arm to steady her. "I'm fine!"

I withdrew my arm. There would be no way to apparate to another restaurant. We would have to walk. "The night air might help sober Minerva," I thought to myself. I tried to lead her through the throng of people, but she pulled out of my grasp and lead the way herself.

We walked down the street looking for a nicer restaurant. Every one that had an intimate setting, Minerva flat out refused to enter. "Are you even hungry?" I asked, getting agitated. I had just played a four hour quidditch game, so I was starving.

"No. I'd prefer to just walk around if you don't mind," Minerva answered.

"Well, I have to eat something," I told her" I strode through the deli door we had just reached. I came back out several minutes later with a large sandwich. "Finally," I thought to myself, taking a large bite. Then I began looking around for Minerva. She had walked several feet and was now facing me while tapping her foot impatiently. I rolled my eyes and hurried to catch up. "You couldn't have waited?"

"If you would have given me more warning, maybe I would have," she said tersely. "Now, shall we go in?"

I looked up and saw that she was gesturing to another bar. I pulled the door open for her and she nodded briskly and walked in. "I'm not getting rid of my sandwich, though," I muttered.

A hour passed and we still hadn't held a conversation. Minerva had, however, managed to drink another two very large bottles of firewhiskey. I, personally, had another two bottles of the same size so I was getting rather tipsy.

"I still love you!" Minerva blurted and then she quickly covered her mouth, as if expecting that her world would come crashing down around her.

I sighed. I had wanted her to say that all night but I knew it was just the firewhiskey talking. "Minerva, maybe you should stop drinking now," I told her.

"No, really," she told me, suddenly quiet. "It has nothing to do with firewhiskey," she said seriously. "I love you. I never stopped loving you, ever. From the day you walked out of my life, I dreamed that you would come back and sweep me off my feet. Please say you'll come back to teach at Hogwarts. I've really missed you." She grabbed my hand and pleaded with her eyes that I not turn her away..

My eyes widened. She wants me back! I smiled and stood. "Another round of firewhiskey for the house!" I crossed the distance between us and scooped her up, like she had dreamed I would, and kissed her. This was cause for celebration!