1Chapter Six

Her rash actions – no, not her actions, she corrected herself. Her thoughts, her emotions that she could not control, haunted her the next morning. She knew she'd have to go back to class with him. Class with Albus - no, Professor Dumbledore - after she finally had admitted her feelings for him to herself. How could she concentrate on class with those thoughts running through her head?

Plus...how old was Dumbledore? She guessed there had to be at least an 85 year difference in ages...sure, Dumbledore still looked like a 20-something Muggle...but was it really okay?

No point in thinking about it now, she thought. It was time to go to Transfiguration and she had to face the consequences, no matter what they may be. Though her feelings were conflicting within her, she had to stand tall like the Gryffindor she was.

Professor Dumbledore was in his office, but he was not alone. In she found a 5th year Slytherin boy...she thought his name was Tom. Minerva stood outside the office door, just out of sight.

"Sir, I was wondering...if you know anything about the chamber of secrets."

Dumbledore did not reply for a moment. "Why do you ask, Tom?"

"I just stumbled upon it in Hogwarts, a History sir," he said in a nervous tone, "And it wasn't very clear on the subject. It said...it said that the chamber could be opened by Slytherin's heir, but it didn't even say where it was. I mean, something that big would be hard to hide, wouldn't it?"

Dumbledore sighed. "No one knows where it is, Tom. But rest assured, if we do not know where it is, it is most unlikely that Slytherin's heir knows either. No need to fret."

"But there's a monster in it," Tom continued, "And it would attack all those who Salazar Slytherin would've deemed unfit to learn magic, like muggle-borns. Shouldn't something be done to find it, if for no other reason to lessen the chances of an attack on this school?"

"Tom, if in all the years that Hogwarts has existed the monster has not surfaced, why should he now? Do not worry. There is a high probability that this so-called chamber does not even exist. However, should something happen, I believe the personnel of this school fully capable of handling the situation."

Tom's voice was cold when he replied, "Yes. Thank you, professor."

Minerva quickly ducked out of sight until Tom left, then entered Dumbledore's office. "Good morning, sir."

"Sir, again, Minerva?"

"Old habit," she said nervously. "Sir, what is the Chamber of Secrets?"

"A chamber believed to hold a terrible monster only the heir of Slytherin can control," Dumbledore replied.

"Why is Tom so interested?"

"I don't know, but he certainly does worry me," he said, leaning back in his chair. "He always seems so interested in the most dangerous of topics. I know he has also asked questions about Dark Arts of Professor Slughorn, but I do not know of which ones. He's headed for trouble."

Minerva nodded. "I agree sir. I don't know much about him, but he does seem dangerous."

"Minerva, please call me Albus."

She took a deep breath. "Sir, it makes me uncomfortable."

He leaned forward and rested his arms on his desk. "Why?"

"Because I feel I'm growing too close to you." Her tone was matter-of-fact.

"Is there such a thing as two people becoming too close, Minerva? Isn't attachment a positive thing?"

Minerva closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "It isn't when you fall in love with your professor, Albus."

He didn't respond. Instead, he gestured to his chess board. "Play with me."

She nodded and joined him at the chess table. The board was already set as if he had been in the middle of a game and abandoned it, or as if someone had one and not reset it. "Look at the board," he said.

Minerva did a quick survey of the board. "White's at checkmate."

"They've lost, then?"

"Yes sir."

"And nothing can change that?"

"There's no other move."

Albus looked at Minerva and smiled. "Minerva, there is no other move. I feel the same and can't ignore these feelings, like you can. Perhaps I lack the willpower you do, or maybe I am less stubborn. Honestly, I've never felt like I've had more in common with an individual, and I want a chance to pursue this to know if there's something here worth having."

"You're my professor," she said, almost in tears.

"And next year you will be my colleague," he said, "And probably for many, many years to come. We will always be together, Minerva. We can delay this process, or we can accept it. What do you say?"

Palpable silence. Then she stood up kicked the chess board, causing several pieces to hit the floor.

"Hang it all, Albus!" she yelled. "Yes, I have feelings for you, and I know you know that because you read my mind. You can't just let it go and try to pursue a relationship with another without using your superior powers, can you? Last night…" Her breathing had become very labored. "Last night…you read my mind while we danced, that's how you know! Because that's all I was thinking about, was how accursedly attracted I was to you, and that's why I stopped!"

"Your thoughts are so on the surface of your mind, Miss McGonagall, that one scarcely needs to use legilmency," Albus said quietly. "And I assure you I felt these feelings long before you did, and only mention them now when they seem more appropriate."

"More appropriate? Couldn't you have waited until next year, when they were entirely appropriate?"

Albus shook his head. "I wasn't going to let you slip away. Besides, who has to know?"

Minerva calmed down slightly, and sat back in her chair. "I am willing to try this, Albus. But if this in any way damages my reputation, or my career…"

"It won't," Albus assured her, "But if it does, then I will do everything within my power to make things right again."

"All right," Minerva said slowly. "I consent."

Albus's smile was very mysterious. He calmly set the chess board again. "Now, can we enjoy a game of chess?"

"We can."