AN: Thank you for the reviews, favourites, follows. It's always lovely. I will speed time up a little in this chapter but I will make sure it's clear. Thanks again.
Minerva's first few weeks went rather well. She had gotten herself into a routine, she no longer felt so exhausted after the days had done and even more she had so many promising students. She had gotten used to Tom being so friendly and not that she thought of it, she didn't feel so uncomfortable anymore. In the odd lesson she would see him from the corner of her eye, he would usually have a certain look upon his face. She wasn't quite sure what it meant but as soon as he would see she saw he would look away.
It had come to the end of the week and the last lesson of the day had ended. Not that a weekend really meant a weekend at Hogwarts, she would still have to do duties but this weekend she had planned a special evening out, with a certain Headmaster. Of course Minerva had a few pupils in her classroom for detention, once the hour was up she dismissed them and began to clean the few books still scattered around the room. She had arranged a one to one with a Hufflepuff first year, she had been struggling with classes and Minerva offered to help her. She heard a small knock and someone clear their throat. She turned and was slightly surprised to see Tom standing in the doorway.
"Excuse me Professor" his voice still held that essence of charm to it. "I'm sorry to bother you. I wondered if you would be so kind as to give me some extra tutoring?." His eyes pleaded with her. "I'm getting very worried about the exams coming up". He shifted slightly as to make his little speech.
Minerva watched him for a moment, she wasn't sure she wanted to spend any time out of class with him but she couldn't deny him her teaching. "Ah Samantha, please come in." She turned her attention back to Tom. "Samantha here has asked for extra teaching so I don't see why you can't." She gave a half hearted smile. "Take a seat."
If looks could kill, Samantha would be dead. He had to share her. No, no, no, he didn't like that one bit. As he watched Minerva speak with Samantha, he watched the way her body naturally relaxed. He watched as she spoke to the young girl, her concentration etched on her face, the small creases by her eyes and the way she smiled when Samantha had completed the task she had set. She was simply beautiful. He could feel hi breathe getting heavier as he was lost in her. His focus snapped back as he watched her walk toward him.
"Right, well we'll start with the spell we were learning today. I want you to show me how you do you." She had placed an object in front of him. She watched as he held up his wand. "No, no. You should have it raised slightly higher." Watching as he went too high she placed her hand on the wand and her other under his arm, making sure it was in the right position. "Now, you just flick your wrist gently" she demonstrated with his hand.
He could almost touch her, as she leant in and placed her hand on his and on his arm, he could feel himself getting aroused. The scent of her shampoo, mixed with her perfume, was driving his senses crazy. He took a side glance, her red rosy lips, her soft skin. He had to concentrate on something, anything. He flicked the wand and said the spell, of course he already knew how to do it, so it worked perfectly.
"That's great Tom. I want you to just keep practising. Try turning it into as many things you can think of.". She returned to her other student as she though Tom was more than capable. By the end of the half hour lesson she had dismissed them. Again going round to tidy the equipment up she noticed Tom had changed the object into a single red rose. She held it in her hand, not really knowing what to do or say.
Saturday had arrived, Albus had asked Minerva to attend a Muggle's opera house, it was one of his favourite things to do in his spare time (not that he got a lot of that). He was thrill when she had agreed to attend with him. He had put on a tuxedo, made sure his beard was nice and neat and that his hair was the same. He had arranged to meet Minerva in the main entrance hall at 8pm, he smiled to himself at the thought of Minerva being just his for the evening. The thought actually gave him butterflies.
Minerva checked herself in the mirror again. She had gone for a simple full length black dress, it was fitted in all of the right places, her collarbone and part of her upper chest was on show. She had a delicate pearl necklace around her neck. Her hair was down and flowing nicely. The light makeup suiting her perfectly. She was never one for heels but the only ones she had, had a slightly heel (not that she needed to be any taller). She was nervous stepping out of her chambers, one; what if the pupils saw her? and two; she wondered what Albus would think of her.
Albus heard her before he saw her. Turning his eyes glistened, she was marvellous. "My dear." he greeted as she stepped in front of him. "You look incredibly beautiful".
Minerva couldn't stop the smile from spreading across her lips. He looked so different, the suit fitting his nice slender frame. She stopped in front of him and smiled, her hands coming up to straighten his dicky bow tie. Her eyes looked into his. He was handsome, very handsome. "Thank you Albus, I must say, you look very handsome". She linked her arm with his, they walked to the gates and apparated to London.
Tom watched from a a window in one of the towers, as hours later they returned, obviously he had seen her leave earlier that evening, hated had built inside of him. How could she do this to him?.
"I wondered my dear if you would care to join my for a little stroll by the lake?" Albus had, had a fantastic night with Minerva. They had gone out for a bite to eat, they had champagne at the opera house and even after, Albus took her to a fans hotel he knew, they danced by the piano and talked like it was the first time they had seen each other in years.
Minerva reached down and took Albus' hand, walking with him to the lake, both in silence. Tonight had been the most romantic and enchanting night of her life. She didn't know happiness like it. As they approached the lake Albus stopped them, turning to her. Her eyes wouldn't leave his.
"Minerva, thank you for joining an old man and making him very happy". He smiled and pulled her hand to his lips. "I know that it hasn't been very long since you started here and well not very long since we began talking again." he paused, gathering his nerves. "Minerva, I care for you, a great deal. I suppose I always have." he looked to her, worried that she may be disgusted with him for liking her as a student.
Minerva held his hand a little tighter. "Albus, I care for you. There were many times I wanted to say something but it would have been unprofessional and I wouldn't have wanted anyone saying anything bad against you or us". She paused, she liked the sounds of 'us'.
"I wonder, if perhaps, now would be the right time?." He looked at her so hopeful, he didn't know if he could take a denial from her, it would truly break his heart.
She nodded and smiled. Placing her hand on his cheek she pulled him down to her, closing her eyes as their lips met. Years of emotion and wanting pouring into it. He pulled her close to him, deepening the kiss. She pulled away reluctantly, her eyes staying closed for the moment more. "I do cherish you Albus".
"As I do you, my dear." It was rather late and Albus knew he had a lot of things to get on with. He knew they were early in their relationship and would never dream of getting that 'ball' rolling. "Can I walk you back to your chambers?" He asked taking hold of her hand again.
She thought for a moment. "I think i'll just get some air for a moment." she kissed him softly, lingering as to make sure he was still there. "Goodnight Albus".
He kissed her back and nodded. "Goodnight, sweetheart". Kissing her forehead he began to walk back towards the castle. The night couldn't have gone any better.
After a little while Minerva walked back to the castle. She was almost at the portrait to her chambers when a voice made her stop. "Doesn't somebody look nice". Tom had watched the whole scene from the same window. His hatred toward Albus had doubled and his dislike for Minerva growing.
"Mr Riddle, what on earth are you doing out of bed. You know full well what time you are meant to be in the common rooms for." She had to stop her heart from leaping out of her chest. Why on earth had he been lingering in the shadows. "I will be deducting points and I will be speaking to your head of year." She said rather sternly.
Tom stepped forward, seeing her move back, he smiled, she was against the wall. He took little steps as he spoke. "A little old for you, ins't he?." he saw the confusion on her face. "I saw you, by the lake. A professor and his old pupil. Tut tut tut." He leant in and whispered into her ear "You know Minerva, a pretty little thing like you could have anyone. Everyone" he pulled back and looked into her eyes.
Her breathe had caught in her throat. She felt sick, anger and disgust all at the same time. "It's Professor McGonagall to you." She spat back at him. She stepped forward, she wouldn't be intimidated like this. "My personal life had absolutely nothing to do with you. I hope you will do well to remember that." She stood tall. "Now back to your dormitory. Professor Dumbledore will be hearing about this." Her Scottish lilt very much present.
He smirked at her and began to walk away. Rattling her cage did nothing but satisfy him.
Her eyes followed him as she disappeared around a corner. She let out a breathe she didn't realise she had been holding. Her hand placed against the wall for support. Walking the short distance to the portrait she shut herself in her chambers. Putting a locking charm on the door, she didn't feel that safe anymore. She wished for Albus.