Formal Resistance
With the sun barely a thin ribbon on the horizon, Piers cinched his bags closed for the last time. The magical routes crisscrossing Egypt were closely monitored so a lone traveler was relatively safe but it was best to be careful all the same. Having made the trip to Cairo many times he knew what he needed both for the journey and his safety. Satisfied that all was in order, he returned to the heart of the camp and made his way to Minerva's tent.
He found her dressing for the day. Wordlessly, he wrapped his arms around her waist. They both looked at their reflections in the ever present mirror. "I couldn't leave without apologizing first. I behaved like an ass yesterday."
"What else could you do? Stubborn woman that I am." Minerva said just as she finished braiding her hair.
"I have no choice but to love you as you are."
Minerva turned around in his arms and laid her hands on his shoulders. "You didn't visit me last night."
"My report was not going to write itself. Forgive me." Piers leaned his forehead against hers briefly. "Before I leave I need to know that you will keep yourself out of mischief. What have you to keep you busy?"
"There's the new excavation at site four. All indications point to a hidden chamber in the vicinity. That should please Cairo."
"Sounds very promising. Will Albus be helping you with this new discovery?"
"Piers, enough, please." Minerva moved out of his arms turning away from him. She tied her emery bag to her belt, pocketed her wand and picked up her helmet talking all the while. Somehow she managed to never quite meet his eyes.
"I'm sorry but I can't help feeling this way, especially when I see the way you behave around him."
"I do not behave any differently around Albus." Minerva protested.
"I have eyes, Minerva. And if I have noticed, you can believe the others have too." Piers took her hands in his. "When you're with him I can see how much more intense you become. Did you know that your eyes never leave his face when you speak to him or he to you?"
"I find him an interesting man, Piers. His knowledge, experiences, I've never met anyone like him. Everything he's done and -"
"So intellectual fascination is the reason that makes your eyes light up when he's around? Nothing else?" Piers tilted up her chin. He took her silence as some kind of answer and not one to his liking. "Attentions from one such as he must be flattering. I put no blame on you. But tell me so that I may prepare myself, am I to compete against a legend?"
"There is no competition." Minerva put her helmet on and checked her reflection in the mirror.
"Yet you do not deny that you ... that he intrigues you." Piers replied. "We have always been frank with each other. It is unfair to me to be otherwise now."
"What do you want me to say?" Minerva took off her helmet and threw it on the camp bed. "Yes, I find him an attractive man. I do enjoy his company. His charms are beguiling. We spar and, yes, I admit, we flirt. That is as far as it goes."
"In our years together, you've only flirted with me. I cannot share, Minerva, in any way."
"I'm not asking you too. I would never ask you to." Minerva touched his cheek. Dear sweet, familiar Piers. I would not hurt you if I can help it. "Albus and I will be talking about Hogwarts this morning. I expect him to to leave sometime tomorrow."
"We are not married yet. I should be more understanding of this ... this flirtation."
"Piers, please don't assume -"
"As long as I am first in your heart, I shall be fine." Together they left her tent and stood in a quiet embrace for a time by his waiting camel. Piers sighed. "I love you. One more kiss then. Enough to last me five entire days."
Their kiss lingered and grew more passionate. Unbeknownst to them, their parting had a witness. Albus looked away but not before seeing the lovers' lips and bodies meld.
He retreated back into his own tent with every intention of subduing his inner demons before facing her at breakfast. I cannot do this. I must stop wishing for that which cannot be.
Had Albus stayed to watch a little longer he would have seen Minerva return to her tent. If he had followed her he would have heard her softly murmuring, "He loves me so much. I can't ... I won't hurt him with this infatuation. I won't."
Albus strode into the meal tent. "Good morning, Miss McGonagall."
Minerva looked up in surprise. How formal we are today. "A pleasant morning to you, Mr. Dumbledore."
Albus greeted the other team members at the table before taking his own seat opposite Minerva. He did not miss the small smile directed at him. His own eyes lingered over her lips. He cleared his throat. Talk about Hogwarts and nothing else. "Would you have a few minutes to spare me this morning to talk about Hogwarts?"
"Of course, Headmaster." Minerva peered at him closely. His face had a seriousness about it that she had not seen before. "I have some paperwork in my tent. We can talk while I finish them."
To innocent ears her words would have meant nothing but to his guilty conscience they provoked only unease. Not in private. That is asking too much of a weak man. To hide his nervousness he sought refuge in physical action. Albus reached for the pitcher of juice. Unfortunately, Minerva had the same idea.
Their hands collided. His hand wrapped firmly around the handle while hers landed atop his. They gasped in unison and their eyes locked. She felt the slight tremor of his hand. For that one unguarded moment, it was as if they each gazed into the other's most secret inner selves - realization mingled with guilt, attraction overwhelmed restraint.
Minerva's hand tightened imperceptibly upon his before she pulled back. That should not have happened.
Albus did not break eye contact. I am awake. I did not imagine that ... electrical charge when our hands touched. Do I have a chance? "I don't wish to disturb you while you are working. I can wait until you are free. I mean to say that ... that I will wait at your convenience ... when you are free from work."
Minerva looked away all too aware of the others seated about them."We are concentrating on site four today. I will be there most of the day. We should not delay discussing your business."
"I am far too much of a disturbance to you."
"It can't be helped, can it?" Her spoken question and the one reflected in her eyes were the same but the answers had such vastly different meanings. Too late. Three years too late and there is no help for it. You draw me in with so little effort. "Your job, I mean, you ... you must do what you are compelled to do.
"Unless there is a reason to resist such a compulsion." His voice was barely above a whisper meant for her ears alone. "Is there a reason?"
In response Minerva raised her empty glass towards him. "I don't know what to do."
Albus hesitated only a second before covering her hand with his ostensibly holding the glass steady as he poured. Instead of the expected charge, there was a soothing warmth where his fingers brushed her skin. "How about a walk later?"
Very aware of the company around her, she added. "Not possible. Have Khalil accompany you to site four in the afternoon. We can have our walk as I show you the site. We've made a great deal of progress."
"That would be most agreeable. May I mention to my superior that you are strongly considering my … Hogwart's offer?"
"I need to … to be certain. Absolutely certain."
"I understand." Albus laid his hand palm up on the table. Mentally, he lowered all his shields. A moment's vulnerability for one chance in a lifetime.
"Teaching would be an adjustment." Minerva touched the middle of Albus' palm. She held her breath as a pulse of energy entered her fingers and infused her entire being with warmth. It was unlike the searing heat of a wild fire. The sensation was comforting like a lit fireplace in a darkened room on a chilly night. It was like magic finding like magic.
The rest of breakfast passed unremarkably. If their hands touched far too often while passing food along it was not noticed. If their eyes lingered over the other's features longer than was seemly, no one made mention of it. If their shyness and awkwardness displayed themselves it was apparent to no one else. Nothing untoward could be said about Minerva and Albus' behavior at table that morning. But their thoughts would have told a different story had anyone else been privy to them.