Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry, was walking down the now empty corridors of the school. Just a few days ago, the halls had been loud with chatter and laughs. Now it echoed empty from every step he took. As he passed an half opened door, he heard what must have been the biggest sigh he'd ever heard in his life. Peering in through the door he saw his college, right hand and best friend, Minerva McGonagall, sitting at the desk in her classroom. Her head was bowed over a huge pile of papers. As Dumbledore strode through the room, Minerva didn't realize he was even in the room, until he was almost right in front of her.

"And what my dear, is the cause of a sound so utterly helpless?" he gently asked.

Minerva smiled at her friend and motioned at her papers and huffed.

"OWL's."

She leaned back in her chair.

"Do I need to say more?"

Dumbledore smiled.

"Alas, being a teacher is not always a walk on roses" he offered.

Roses! Minerva thought. I have to give Hermione roses!

"Did I lose you somewhere?"

Minerva met Dumbledore's eyes.

"Sorry" she smiled, "I was just thinking about my cottage".

"Ah" said Dumbledore. "When will you take your leave?"

Minerva looked longingly in the air.

"In two days" she told him.

"And when will your young guest arrive?"

Minerva's chock was so total her friend had to laugh.

"I assume you have invited her?" he continued.

Minerva tried to loosen up her tongue from her chock.

"How did you…" she finally managed.

Again Albus Dumbledore smiled at his friend, this time there was such a warmth in his look that even Minerva couldn't miss it.

"How long have you known?" she queried.

"Probably longer than you have" Dumbledore mused.

Minerva's thoughts raced.

Finally, she surrendered to the fact that her best friend knew her deepest secret.

"Have I been that apparent?" she asked, fishing for ways to calm herself down.

Dumbledore titled his head.

"As apparent as the last time you fell in love, my dear".

Minerva wasn't sure she could take more of this: He knew about that too?! She had never uttered a single word about her feelings to anyone, and yet here he sat talking to her as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

And why had he never let her in on his observations?!

As if he could read her mind, Dumbledore put up a hand in a self defending gesture.

"I know it because I know you, and no, I have never spoken to anyone about the subject".

Well, thank heavens for that!

Feeling defeated, Minerva rose and hugged her friend.

"Am I supposed to believe you agree with my actions?" Minerva asked as they broke apart.

"I most surely do, my dear!" Dumbledore smiled. "And if you have not yet asked her to accompany you to your cottage, then I suggest you consider it a friendly advice well worth bearing in mind".

Minerva smiled at him.

"As a matter of fact, yes I have invited her" she confessed.

The look of utterly satisfaction on Dumbledore's face made Minerva laugh.

"Then, my dear, I am only left to insist you take a break from your OWL's and accompany me to my office for a cup of tea and an friendly exchange of thoughts and feelings".

--

Hermione was lying on her stomach on a blanket in her parent's garden. In front of her was a few books, among them her diary, but at the moment her eyes where fixed on a piece of paper in her hands. Her fingers slid over the words.

"Everything will be all right."

Sighing Hermione wished things were that simple. That she could put her feelings in a box and throw it in a lake somewhere. But no, she had to handle them ever single moment of every day. And hating it just as mutch.

"Don't you dare worry!"

If there was anything Hermione did at the moment, it was worrying. What would she say when she finally met Minerva again? Since the lake they had only exchanged a few phrases, and the last day had been almost a constant chaos. Hermione had hugged Minerva good-bye, as she had hugged most of her other professors, and forced herself to trust that Minerva actually would hold her promise to contact her when she was ready to leave Hogwarts for the cottage.

Now, almost two weeks had passed and Hermione was getting more and more frustrated each passing day. She knew she would hear from Minerva, there was no doubt in her mind. But she was scared that the longer she would have to wait, the more her longing and nervousness would turn into bitterness. She was already bitter at the world for throwing her such a bitter fruit of life, the last thing she wanted was that bitterness to get out over Minerva.

Sweet wonderful Minerva Miranda McGonagall. Hermione rolled over on her back and closed her eyes. Even if her feelings may never be returned, Hermione still was happy with the thought of spending time with Minerva. Spending time alone with Minerva. Talking about books, playing chess, taking walks, talking by the fire, snuggling by the fire…

Hermione sat up, no, no thought like that. It would never happen. No point in wishing or dreaming or longing. As harsh as it sounded, the only thing she could do was try to get on with her life. Maybe even try to find someone else to love.

Suddenly a low shriek snapped Hermione from her thoughts and made her look at the sky. A small dark-brown owl was descending towards her. In its beak was a small letter. The owl dropped to the ground and allowed Hermione to take the letter. As soon as she did, the owl spread its wings and left her sitting alone. Biting her lower lips Hermione opened the letter. Instantly her heart began to pound loudly in her ears.

Dear Hermione!

Tomorrow I will head to London for some summer shopping in Diagon Alley. Would you like to meet me at the muggle entrance by noon? I suggest a shared meal before we both head towards the Scottish highlands and my cottage.

I trust you are well and I look forward to seeing you again.

Minerva

Hermione was glad her parents were at work when she headed inside the house to pack for the trip, because the grin on her face was impossible to hide.