*** Albus POV
It's moments like these that I love the most. You come to my office on so many evenings. Discussing Hogwarts and the Order. Talking about students, our world, Peeves latest pranks. But so many times we don't even talk. We just sit together, enjoying each others company.
Sometimes, after a particular stress full day you fall asleep on the couch. You hate when that happens. You're always groggily with embarrassment after you've woken up. Little do you know that I love those times.
And let's face it, the last time has been particularly stress full. Dolores Umbridge, the return of Voldemort, me being forced to leave Hogwarts, the death of Sirius. The castle is quiet now. The students are on holiday and we have more time to spend together. We've talked this evening, mostly about Dolores Umbridge and the question if she should be charged for what she has done to you. I think she should. You think she shouldn't.
Then you fell asleep. You're still tired and recovering from those stunners. You've tucked your feet below you. That's the first sign. Then your head drops on your arm, resting on armrest. Your curl up even more, your knees almost touching your face. And you're asleep.
I love watching you sleeping. You're so much more at peace now. You're face is so much younger and softer. Like all the burdens have been lifted from you. I've kneeled down in front of the couch and now I'm softly stroking your face and hair. On moments like these you're mine. There's no war, no Order, just you and me.
I almost lost you this year. I was with my brother Aberforth at Hog's Head when I heard that Dolores had attacked you with four stunning spells. I thought the world was collapsing down around me. You were at St. Mungo's, critically injured and no- one knew if you would make it. I wanted to see you so badly. Aberforth almost had to petrify me to stop me from rushing over to you. It was too dangerous.
Once again, I realised how much I love you. After all those years of burying my feelings, of keeping my guard up, those feelings should have died. But they haven't. Every night I dream of you. Every morning when I wake up I tell myself to stop loving you. But each day, at the moment I see you, sitting at the Staff Table, I fall in love with you all over again. You have bewitched me, Minerva McGonagall and I don't know how to break your spell. I don't even know if I want to.
My fierce Gryffindor. I remember that day Cornelius and Dolores forced me to leave. Cornelius attempting to arrest me. I still hear your voice 'He will not go single- handed!" I could have kissed you right there.
And now you are here with me again, sleeping on my couch. You are purring. I love that sound. You have been an Animagus for so long you've adopted cat- like behaviour. The way your smell and hearing has improved. The way you can find the warmest place in a room. The way you can fall asleep everywhere.
I continue to caress your hair, which was in a loose bun today. It amazes me how it's still so ravenblack, without a streak of silver. You wear you contacts tonight and I caress the lines next to your eyes. Some of laughing, some of worrying.
Look at this face I know the years are showing Look at this life I don't know where it's going I don't know much But I know I love you And that will be all need to know.
You stir in you sleep, turning a little. "I love you, Minerva", I whisper. You mumble something I can't make out. I wonder if you've heard me.
Suddenly your eyes flutter open. Those deep green eyes in which I have lost myself on so many occasions. You blink a few times, still looking at me. Then your mouth curves into a warm smile. You don't smile often like that and I am glad that I am one of the persons you'll allow to see it.
"Hi", you say softly.
"Hi", I whisper back. Your face is a little flustered from your sleep and the warmth of the room.
"I fell asleep again, didn't I?" you ask, slightly frowning.
"You did", I tell you. I'm still stroking your hair. You haven't said anything about it so far. I really should stop it. I should make a joke, get up and pour us some tea. But I can't. I'm so tired of hiding my feelings for you. Of pretending not to stare at you when we are together.
I can't explain what is happening. I look at you, memorising your face, softly twisting your hair between my fingers, feeling it's texture. Slowly my hand slide to the back of you head, cupping it. I bring your face closer to mine, still staring in your eyes.
I can't fight it and I don't want to. I have loved you for so long. So many years of suppressed longing and hidden desire. You don't move, it's like you are holding your breath. When our noses are almost touching, I hesitate for a moment, giving you time to move away. But you don't.
I can't hold back any longer. I need to kiss you, more then I need my next breath. Closing the distance, I capture your mouth, pulling you even closer. Then you begin to respond, your lips are moving against mine. With a sigh you wind your arms around my neck. I deepen the kiss, feeling as if I could burst with joy and wrap my arms around you, holding you as close as possible without hurting you.
This kiss surpass all my dreams, all my expectations. It amazes me how perfectly we fit, like two pieces of a puzzle. Now that I have had you in my arms once, I won't be able to let you go ever again. Our kiss is growing beyond passionate and the more I got, the more I want.
But we both need air and regretfully I pull away. Immediately I feel lost and cold. Still staring at you as we try to catch our breath, I notice how your lips are red and swollen. I resist the urge to run my thumb along them. We need to talk about this.
Your face has a dreamy expression and I almost kiss you again, but then your eyes widen in shock. "What have we just done?" you ask softly.
A strand of hair has come loose from your bun and falls across your face. I try to concentrate on what you are saying, but it's too distracting. "I believe it's called a kiss", I reply absentminded.
"But what does it mean, Albus?" you ask and to my shock there are tears in your eyes. "Is this just a spur of the moment thing? Does it mean anything to you? Will there be."
I don't let you finish. How can you think this means nothing to me? You are my world. I cup your face in my hands and press a quick kiss on you lips to silence you. "I love you Minerva", I tell you, moving my thumbs over your cheekbones. "You are the most important person in my life".
You don't answer, you just stare. Then comprehension dawns in your eyes and a whoop of laughter escapes your lips. "Oh Albus!" Next moment you're around me again, kissing me soundly. It takes only a few seconds for the shock to wear off and then I return your kiss.
Much later we lay wrapped in each others arms. Kissing and talking softly. I am going to love these moments.
Fin
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