Sorry, it's taken such a long time for me to post this chapter. I had a huge writer's block and a lot a lot a lot of uni assignments. Anyway, hopefully, it was worth the wait!

September 2 1982

"I hope you have a good reason for taking me out of school like this," said Minerva as she and Elphinstone walked down the hill from Hogwarts to Hogsmeade. "More for you than for me."

Elphinstone, who had met her outside the school gates at four, smiled. "I do," he said enigmatically.

"And would you care to share?"

He looked at her and smiled innocently. "No. My lips are sealed."

Minerva rolled her eyes. "You know I could have got into trouble for that," she said, slipping her hand in his.

"Never. Dumbledore owes you one. In fact, he owes you a lot. One hour without his deputy isn't going to kill him."

Minerva pursed her lips. "I think you underestimate how much of a good deputy I am."

Elphinstone bit back a smile. "You're right, I'm sorry. I'm sure everyone is lost without you back at the school oh wise one."

Minerva tutted and hit him lightly on the shoulder with the rolled-up transfiguration today she had in her hand. "Cheeky," she said.

Elphinstone smirked, and Minerva rolled her eyes. As they continued hand-in-hand down the path, Minerva thought again about Elphinstone's 'surprise' and began to feel her curiosity grow.

"Are you working at the Ministry again?" she asked suddenly.

"What?" Elphinstone raised his eyebrows, clearly caught off-guard. Realisation dawning when he noticed Minerva's scrutinising look, he laughed. "There's no point trying to trick me into telling you," he said, "As I said, my lips are sealed." He smiled again and then added, "Also, no, I'm not working at the Ministry. I'm retired."

Minerva bit her lip, thinking hard. "You've done the washing up?"

Elphinstone looked at her in mock incredulity. "I always do the washing," he said.

"Of course you do," replied Minerva, glancing at him knowingly. A faint shadow of a smile crossed his lips. "Are you taking me out for dinner?"

Elphinstone shook his head, looking as though he was trying very hard to contain his amusement. "At four o'clock in the afternoon?"

Minerva tried to ignore his amused looks and furrowed her brows as she wracked her brains. When no ideas sprung to mind, she nudged him gently on the arms. "You're enjoying this too much," she said, "Give me a clue."

Elphinstone thought for a moment. "All right, it's something very important," he said finally.

"That's a rubbish clue," answered Minerva as they walked into Hogsmeade. Elphinstone merely shrugged. "Fine, did you... finally get rid of that awful plant you put in the bathroom?"

Elphinstone chuckled. "No, and just to let you know it is not awful - the flowers just haven't sprouted yet. "

Minerva narrowed her eyes at him. "You're not making this easy, you know," she said, making Elphinstone smile again.

"We're getting close anyway. Just a few more minutes and we'll be there," he answered. "Just around this corner…"

Minerva frowned. "But there's nothing over there just-" Suddenly cottoning on, her eyes widened and she stopped suddenly in the middle of the pavement. "Elphinstone Urquat, are you telling me what I think you're telling me?"

Elphinstone turned around. "I don't know. Am I?" He smiled and began walking again, a definite spring in his step.

Feeling her heartbeat slightly faster in her chest, Minerva tried her best not to get too excited in case she was wrong, and hurried up to catch up with him. They walked until the end of the path and then turned left so that they were now beside a small lake decorated with floating lilies and surrounded by bouquets of bluebells. It was quiet and peaceful, and, just across the small stream stood the beautiful small cottage Elphinstone and Minerva had been hoping to get for weeks. Ivy crawled up its stone bricks and, like some of the other houses on the outskirts of Hogsmeade, it had a carefully made thatched roof.

"Please tell me this is the surprise," said Minerva, looking up at Elphinstone. "Finn?"

Elphinstone didn't say anything for a moment. Then, the skin around his eyes creased and he smiled. "It is the surprise. Fiona sent me an owl this morning saying they had decided to move out a week earlier." He whipped out a small golden key from his cloak pocket and went to place it in Minerva's palm. "The flat in London is sold and I moved all of our things into the house this morning. It's all ours."

Not knowing what to say that could truly express everything she was feeling, Minerva wrapped her arms around him and gave him a kiss.

"I usually don't like surprises," she said.

"How is this one then?"

She smiled. "Very good."

Elphinstone's eyes twinkled and he clapped his hands suddenly. "Right then, ready to take a look?"

Feeling his excitement rub off on her, Minerva felt a ripple of joy pass through her. Unable to contain a smile, she let Elphinstone take her hand again, and they walked over the old wooden bridge over the lake and up the stone path towards the house.

It had been years since Minerva had owned and place, and even longer since she had owned a place she could truly call home. The thought that this small cottage conveniently located 15 minutes away from Hogwarts, now belonged to her was baffling and wonderful.

Looking briefly at Elphinstone before she inserted the key in the lock, she suddenly felt a warm rush of gratitude that he had not given up on her the first time she had said no. Finally, things were all falling into place and she could now truthfully say that she was happy.