Albus was sitting in his office, humming merrily as he went over some paperwork. His thoughts kept drifting to Minerva, and wondering if she would accept his offer of courtship. Many would call him old fashioned, but he didn't want to rush this. Minerva was special to him, yet he didn't know her beyond the master/apprentice relationship they had fostered when he trained her to pass her Mastery. If he was going to marry her, he had to be certain that she really loved him, and wasn't just affected by some schoolgirl crush.

Those musings were thrown aside as a patronus soared through the open window. The goat landed on his desk, and Albus wondered what Aberforth wanted now. He hadn't spoken to his brother in years, and wondered what would cause the other man to break his long silence. The message wasn't pleasant.

"Albus, that Scottish lass you fancy is down in the pub. Some Ministry bloke is proposing to her. She seems to think she has no other offers. If you don't want to lose her, I suggest you get your arse down here now."

Albus called for Fawkes, asking the phoenix to flash him into the back room at his brother's pub. The message saddened him, as it showed him that he may truly lose his love yet. Even as Fawkes flashed him away, he knew that just showing up wouldn't do anything. He needed to prove to Minerva that he loved her in return, and that he would show her that given the chance.

Landing in front of his brother, Albus gave a short nod. "Thank you for the warning."

Aberforth shrugged. "Didn't want the lass to throw her life away for some bloke that won't love her. Mind, I won't stop her if she transfigures you again. From what I hear, you deserved it."

Albus gave a rueful chuckle as he walked back into the main room of the pub. "I deserved that and more for invading her privacy."

He looked around, taking in the scene. Minerva and her acquaintance were the only ones in the pub. He remembered the man. Elphinstone Urquart, Hufflepuff. He strode forward, praying that Minerva would listen to him. Both looked up as he approached the table, and he spied the ring. Nice, but it doesn't suit her.

Minerva looked slightly shocked as he approached. What is Albus doing here? "Headmaster Dumbledore," she said, trying to keep her voice level, "I didn't expect to see you until tomorrow."

"I wanted to speak with you sooner," he replied, noticing the suspicious glances Urquart threw his way. Ah, suspicious of his rival.

"Is there any way you can do this later?" Elphinstone asked, looking between the two Gryffindors. He could sense that there was something he didn't know, and he didn't like it. How dare he look at Min that way?

"I'm afraid not; it is a rather urgent matter," Albus replied cheerfully, noticing a red flush creeping up Elphinstone's neck. A jealous type, it seems.

"What do you want Albus?" Minerva sighed, looking at the table. Her head was spinning and she wished that she had never agreed to meet Elphinstone in the first place. Now Albus was here as well. I'm going to need a vial of Headache Remedy when this is all over.

"I want to tell you what I tried to tell you yesterday, before you fled. I love you Minerva, and I want the chance to court you properly. Because of my invasion of your privacy, I know that you have feelings for me as well, but I want to give you time to determine if this is just a schoolgirl crush or something more."

"Why didn't you say anything before? Now that she has another offer, now you're going to string her along so she decides not to marry me?" Elphinstone asked, outraged. He knew the older wizard was telling the truth, but he couldn't seem to care. The man was trying to steal his love away, just when he finally had the courage to ask her to marry him.

"I was afraid that she didn't love me in return," Albus replied, getting angry at the other wizard's questions. How dare he doubt my love for Minerva?

Minerva shook her head. This was too much. "Stop, both of you," she snapped, cutting off whatever Elphinstone was going to say. "This is too much at once, and I need time to think. Albus, you say you love me, yet I have no proof. Elphinstone, you want to marry me, yet you know nothing about me. I need time to consider my feelings and what you have said. I can't make this decision now."

Standing up, she left the bar, and only Aberforth saw the tears running down her face. It was too much to decide, especially since she never would have believed that either of them would do something like this. Aberforth stopped both men from following her.

"She needs time," he said, glaring at both of them, "And hassling her will only make her run from both of you. If you love her, let her make her own choices."

Albus looked at his younger brother, slightly shocked. "That's good advice Aberforth. Why is it that you never married?"

"Never could find a woman that would tolerate my goats," his brother replied, going back behind the bar.

Elphinstone stormed out, knowing that Minerva had already apparated away. She would want to go home and think, and it annoyed him that he wasn't sure of the answer. Everyone said that there was something between Albus Dumbledore and his most apt pupil, but no one had been able to say if there was truth to the rumors. Now, he was beginning to think there was.

Albus walked through the village and up the path to Hogwarts. The fresh air was soothing, and he felt better now that he had actually made his bid for Minerva's hand. Whether she loves me or not, I hope she does what will make her happiest. I can't say that I will be happy for Urquart, but if he makes her happy then I won't say a word against him.

Minerva thought about her choices as she paced in her kitchen. She had two pieces of parchment, as well as a quill and ink. Now she just needed to bring herself to choose. Either way, someone would be upset. Maybe it would be best to say no to both of them. Both could do better, Albus especially. Sighing, she sat down and began to write. No matter what I decide, there will be at least one broken heart.