"I told you she needed a good fuck!"

Poppy almost spit her tea out, coughing as it rushed painfully down her throat. "Excuse me?"

Rolanda had come barging into the staff room with Pomona close behind her. "We saw them. Last night. I told you it was going to happen."

Poppy was silently thankful that she had been alone when Rolanda had decided to barge in and announce their friend's personal information to the entire room. Trying to grasp what Rolanda was getting at, she put her teacup down. "What exactly did you two see?"

"They kissed," Pomona pipped in, taking a seat on the couch and pouring herself a cup of tea. "And then they went into her rooms."

Poppy rubbed her temples. In the passing weeks, she had begun to see the friendship bloom between the two heads of houses. Her aversion to Severus had softened after the comfort he seemed to be for her upon her brother's death. She couldn't deny that Severus had shown a clear compassion for her when it happened, and his presence at the funeral had moved her more than she had cared to admit. Yet, the thought of Minerva getting herself tangled up in a romance with such a younger man sounded more like something Rolanda would do. "You sound like two fifth years, you know that?"

"We sure felt like it following them back last night," Pomona said with a chuckle.
"You really think they…?"

"If you had seen those two…"

"Oh, I am thankful I did not."

"Oh, Poppy! Minerva's got a little more spunk in her than you give her credit for."

A familiar laugh came from the doorway and all three women turned to see their Headmaster standing in the doorway. Poppy felt her cheeks flush seeing Albus standing there, listening to their gossip. "I think Rolanda is on to something. Care if I join you?"

"Absolutely not," Rolanda replied, patting a seat on the couch for Albus. The Headmaster locked the door behind him, and Poppy poured him a cup of tea as he sat down.

"It looks like I need to be giving you three more assignments. Well, with all the time on your hands to so meticulously track Minerva and Severus's every move."

"Do not drag me into this," Poppy muttered under her breath.

"You're her best friend, Albus," Rolanda said. "You have to know something."

"Minerva and I have shared many secrets over the years. But, ah, it seems, this she has yet to confide even in me. It seems you and Pomona have confirmed my suspicions?" Albus raised an eyebrow, smiling gently.

Merlin's beard, Poppy thought to herself. Even Albus is playing matchmaker.

"We saw them last night."
"You followed them last night," Poppy corrected.

Rolanda glared at her. "It's all the same in my book."

"May I offer you a piece of advice?" Albus asked.

"Of course," Pomona agreed.

"Minerva and Severus…I know them well…they are both very private people. Intensely private people. I imagine it's that exact trait that has brought them together. The two of them have lives far more complicated than any of us will truly know. If they have found comfort in each other, it's going to take them some time to come to terms with how they want to handle it. We may never be told. I suggest any information you have, you keep to yourselves until they are ready…if they ever are."

A silence fell over the room, and Poppy was thankful for the first sensible words that had been spoken on the subject in two years. "Of course, Albus," Rolanda said softly. "I would only ever share among us…"

Albus put a hand up, smiling. Rolanda's sudden shift in tone had made the whole room tense. "I am not scolding any of you. They truly are an amusing pair. And they haven't been all that quiet about their friendship, have they?" All three of the women laughed. Rolanda looked more at ease, knowing Albus wasn't angry with her. "I say this now because I sensed something was going to happen. And now that it has, it's no longer a game. For us or for them. I imagine they both have a lot of turmoil about how to handle their feelings."

Poppy nodded. "I admit…I've been very…adverse to this whole ordeal. But, after seeing him the morning Minerva found out about her brother…that tugged at something for me. I couldn't deny he cares about her."

"Severus is a good man, Poppy. I would trust him with my life." She widened her eyes. That was a serious statement, especially from Albus. As friendly and outgoing as the Headmaster was, it had frequently dawned on Poppy she knew nothing about him. He was even more private than Minerva. "Ah well, the day must go on, shouldn't it? I'd imagine you're going to see a lot of your Gryffindors dragging themselves to their first classes today." Albus stood from the couch. "Thank you for the tea, ladies." They all bid him goodbye, and he unlocked the door and was gone.

Silence overtook the room again. "You know I would never want to embarrass Minerva," Rolanda said quietly.

"We know that," Pomona said, putting a hand on her shoulder.

Rolanda looked at Poppy as if needing her approval. She nodded. "I know you mean well, Ro."

"He's right though," Pomona added. "They were a ton of fun, but now…this could complicate a lot of things."

"I can't speak for Severus…but I don't think Minerva has had a serious relationship since…"

"Dougal?" Rolanda asked.

"Yes," Poppy confirmed. Over the years, Minerva had revealed her brief and intense love for a Muggle boy in her early adulthood. It had broken her heart. "Though maybe this won't be anything serious. Maybe like you said…they just need to get the tension out."

"I'm beginning to think it runs deeper than that," Rolanda replied. "Albus seems like he's heard some deeper conversations between them. Most of what we have seen is a lot sexual tension and Quidditch debates."

"It's going to be so hard to speak to her today," Pomona admitted.

"For me too."

"Me three," Poppy agreed. "And I didn't even see them."
Rolanda stood from her seat, stretching. "It's almost the end of term. They'll be here in the castle this summer…assuming they both stay. I would imagine that gives them time to work all this out."

Poppy stood as well, knowing she should have been in the infirmary earlier. She'd only intended on staying in the staff room long enough to have a cup of tea. "I'll most likely be here all summer," Poppy said.

Rolanda raised an eyebrow. "While you're…"

"I'm not spying on them," Poppy said. Her voice was sharp in reply, but as her eyes met Rolanda's, she couldn't help but burst into laughter. The whole situation was becoming so ridiculous she couldn't help but laugh. "Didn't Albus just basically tell us to grow up?"

"Like you don't want to know what happens this summer?" Rolanda asked.

"I'll admit…I'm much more curious now."

"Pomona, we have our spy for while we're gone." Arm in arm, the two women made their way out of the room without giving Poppy a chance to protest.

"Those two never learn," she muttered, packing up her things for the day.