A/N: Just remember you that this was the sequel of Minerva's perfect eve… but I've tried to reproduce part of that little shot in the chapter so you can understand it easily…
I hope you enjoy it… sorry for the silly mistakes, it's 3am in Spain right now… Good night^^
A penny for her thoughts – 4
…
He had frightened himself when he saw Minerva falling down her broom… Even if he knew nothing happened to her because she had obviously survived… seeing her best friend almost die wasn't a pleasant image.
Suddenly he felt guilty, it was a feeling coming from Minerva… and then Alastor appeared in front of him… he was having a chat with Minerva.
"Is it because your new job at Hogwarts?" he asked "I always knew you wouldn't be an auror forever, Min… It's not a problem for me, we'll find the way to see each other anyway…"
"It's not that, Alastor" she replied among sobs and tears "It's just… I… I love you, I really do but… it wouldn't be fair…"
"What is not fair? I don't understand… I thought we were happy together…"
"I think I'm… falling in love with someone else…"
"Who?"
"He doesn't even know… he doesn't even look at me…" she confessed.
"I…" Alastor mutter suddenly showing an insecurity Albus had never seen on him "I could understand it, I mean… it's not that weird that you feel things for other people… but, as long as you still love me too…"
"No, Al… it wouldn't be fair… I, I do love you, really… you will always have a special place in my heart but… it's not that strong feeling from those days in the school and after… it's not the same I'm beginning to feel for…" and she shut her mouth before saying the name of the mysterious man.
"Who's him? Please… If I'm going to lose you… you who have been my life, my soul, my light during all these years… you, who I've fought for, who I've risked my life and given everything I ever had… I think I do deserve to know who is stealing you from me"
"Albus…" she said hesitatingly "Albus Dumbledore"
"That old jerk?" he exclaimed.
"He's not that old!" she quickly replied and Albus felt fluttered "He's a gentleman, he's kind, and generous, and… I'm just the transfiguration teacher for him"
"If he doesn't even notice you why are you willing to suffer? I love you, Mina… I'll love you for the both of us… just don't leave me, please"
"Don't insist, Alastor, please… I don't like to hurt you but, I couldn't lie to you anymore…"
While the memory vanished Albus felt guilty, and this time it wasn't a feeling coming from Minerva… he felt guilty to have destroyed what seemed a wonderful couple, and he wished once more he could have given Minerva what she was looking for.
A moan took him back from his own thoughts… He closed his eyes, he wasn't going to watch anymore intimate scenes, he thought while Minerva groaned again in pleasure. He wondered who was the man who was making her so happy, and for a moment he wanted to open his eyes but… no, he couldn't do that to his friend… when suddenly, her groan came accompanied by a name "Oh, Albus" her voice said almost in a whisper… and he opened his eyes wildly…It couldn't be him, not that he remembered… and then he understood… He was in Minerva's bedroom in the school, and under her sheets she was giving pleasure to herself obviously thinking on the headmaster.
When Minerva confessed him her feelings it had never passed through his mind that he could awake such a passion on her… the truth was he had never thought he could inspire that kind of desire in any woman.
He recognized the next memory immediately… She had prepared everything carefully… She had made a delicious pie, she had prepared some strawberries for deserts and had bought a very expensive French vine. After that, they sat next to the fireplace and talked very friendly until he turned back to find her lips looking for his.
"This is no right" he had said, stopping her, and now he could understand how much his had actually hurt her. "Minerva… I… think you should know I'm gay" that was the first time he confessed his secret to someone. But she had already noticed… thought she'd never wanted to understand the clues…
"I guessed it when I noticed the way you looked at the new librarian had nothing to do with the way you looked at me…" she had told him "I just convinced myself it meant nothing… You make me so happy, Albus!"
"I'm sorry" he had said… and now he realized that wasn't enough… but he did mean those words… he was very sorry for not being able to love her in the same way she did. Minerva was a wonderful witch and woman, she would make any wizard the most happy man in the world… but Albus wasn't able to see on her nothing else but a very good friend.
That night they'd promised each other to be friends forever… It had been more than thirty years since that day and the truth was he wasn't able to imagine his life without Minerva… They did almost everything together; they never took any decision without discussing it with the other; they were able to talk without words between them because they could read each other's body like if they were their own gestures and looks… They really acted like an actual couple, Albus suddenly realized… the truth was none of them had had any serious relationships in years… A thought he quickly regretted came to Abus' mind… They could try it… but no… it would never work… not because he didn't love her, he did… but not in the same way, she would never awake that carnal desire on him…
Albus sighted… he had to go out from there… The amusement of knowing more about Minerva's life was gone… now he felt he knew too much, and he could understand why she actually kept those memories just for herself… they were her most private and intimate memories… those little treasures of our lives that we selfishly try to hide. He wondered why he was allowed to look at them, and he thought that maybe they were what Minerva was dreaming while she was unconscious in the hospital wing.
He tried to gain control on himself and go straight to the memory he came looking for.
…
TO BE CONTINUED…