Chapter 21 ~ Private Collection

Rose distinctly recalled the day her mother and father told her and Hugo that they were seeing other people, and now that they were older, would be getting a divorce. While, the divorce hadn't shocked her; their respective partners…had. Especially, her mother's.

She hadn't really known the woman her mother had been with; and what she did know of her…well, she was…intimidating. Extremely. Worldly eyes, immaculate speech, crisp handmade clothes and seemingly all knowing. There wasn't much the woman, Minerva McGonagall didn't know or hadn't been exposed too. She had been the Headmistress of Hogwarts, worked with Albus Dumbledore for sixty years and was his Deputy for the better part of half of them. But, while she had been driven to new levels of shyness, her brother; had flourished – thankfully forcing her to get over her own self deluded misconceptions.

Minerva had been nothing like she had expected. The history books never spoke of her uncanny wit or her endless capacity of love. But over the course of forty-two years, she learned the truth behind her mother's happiness and about the woman who caused it – Minerva McGonagall.

For forty-two years, she had known; only to find out that they had been together five years longer than she had known. Forty-seven. And then one day, a freak accident; and they were both gone, having saved a group of muggle children at the cost of their own lives.

Rose wiped the brewing tears away; she would not cry. If her brother could remain strong. So could she.

"It's hard to imagine them, gone." Hugo gently rubbed the bridge of her back.

Rose bit her lip nodding, "I just…figured, they'd always be here."

He kissed the top of her head, "Me too." He held her for a long minute, before turning back to the desk. "What are you doing with the books?"

"Figured, I'd keep them with the Manor."

He nodded, picking up a weathered journal and with a frown flipped the cover open having not recognized it. A piece of paper fluttered out, his eyes skimming the writing across the interior of the journal.

Hermione Jean Granger – Weasley - McGonagall

"I think this was mom's journal." He said as Rose carefully opened the yellow parchment. "What's it say?"

Rose cleared her throat…

Hermione,

I am a fool.

Five years prior, you asked for an opportunity – one I could only imagine, and shamefully at that. However, you never did listen to my response before walking away. And perhaps, it is high time you did.

As I said, I was flattered and did and still do, believe you should seek companionship to someone a bit closer to you in age. However, I have often found that the heart does not care for such superficial idiosyncrasies; as I do care for you rather deeply despite the vast age difference.

Through the years, I have oft wondered what would have happened if I had gone after you that eve. If I had said yes without the warning.

And while I cannot undo time, I can undo the mistake.

I believe, I love you.

I would like an opportunity to see if the tension as you say is a transitory feeling or something more substantial. Of course, if and only if you are willing.

Know that my curiosity burns to know how your lips will feel as they skim across my flesh; as they still tingle from the brief kiss already shared while I breathlessly await your response.

Minerva

Rose lifted her gaze up, "I think this is perhaps best kept in the private collection." Voice thick with emotion as she folded the letter back up and carefully handed it to Hugo who placed it back into their mother's diary before closing the cherished book and tucking it into the box marked personal.

After all, some things were better left private.

Confessions of the heart being one of them.

Oxox

A/N: As always, I do hope you enjoyed and greatly appreciate your patience with the large hiatus between starting and finishing this piece.