Vivere

Chapter 3 - To Be Only Yours

The week passed swiftly for Minerva and before she knew it Thursday morning had arrived. She awoke and stretched like a cat, yawning at the same time. Mid-yawn it hit here. Today she was going to tell him.

She lay back down and stared at the ceiling, thinking. What would he say? What would he do? She would probably be happiest if he simply forgot she had ever said anything but knowing him he would want to talk it out and make her see 'sense'.

Minerva sighed and slowly got out of bed to complete her morning ritual of showering, dressing and brushing her hair. Once done she heard a knock on her door.

Albus!

Minerva breathed in deeply, preparing herself for both breakfast and that night. When she heard a second knock, Minerva quickly moved to the door. She opened it to find the twinkling eyes of Albus staring at her. Before she could speak, Albus spoke.

"My dear, are you quite all right?" he asked concernedly. "You normally answer straight away."

"I am fine Albus," Minerva said brusquely. "I was just in my bedroom when you knocked so I took an extra minute to answer the door."

Albus did not respond but instead held out his arm which Minerva gratefully accepted; glad he asked no more questions. As they walked down to the Great Hall Albus tried to make conversation but Minerva could barely answer in more then two syllables.

Both were quite relieved when they entered the Great Hall and sat down, colleagues either side to talk to. For the rest of breakfast they did not speak, Minerva too uncomfortable too and Albus just too confused. The two of them not talking however caused much surprise for the rest of the staff. Normally they would have multiple conversations in breakfast, yet they had barely spoken to each other. Many of the teachers were relieved when Minerva left for her first class, the tension left with her.

Minerva however was as worried as ever. Could she really tell him? Did she even want to tell him? Minerva sighed as these thoughts assaulted her. She had to tell him, she had promised herself she would. She would just have to make sure that when she told him she insisted that the feelings did not have to be returned, nor would he have to acknowledge them in any way.

Pop

It was a quiet, thoughtful Minerva that made her way too lunch that day. She had not been able to concentrate in class that morning; half thoughts had been drifting through her head all day about what she would say. Some seemed so easy, others too complicated and some were just so wrong.

As she ate her lunch she did not hear Rolonda Hooch attempt to speak to her. Only when Rolonda shook her shoulder did she notice that half of the teachers were staring at her, including Albus. She blushed, shocking them even more.

"Minerva, whatever is wrong with you? And don't you dare say nothing! You have been acting strange all morning," Rolonda hissed.

"I am fine Rolonda, just distracted," Minerva answered nervously, knowing that many of the other teachers were still listening.

"Minerva I don't believe you one bit. If you're not acting normal again by tomorrow I am going to make you see Poppy or worse, your mother!" Rolonda threatened.

"You wouldn't!" Minerva paused. "You would!"

"I would because I'm worried about you Min, you are never distracted like this. Not even when Umbridge was here. Something is wrong and its making you almost fall apart."

"It will be all right tomorrow Rolonda. I promise you." Before Rolonda could respond Minerva was up, out of her seat and exiting the Great Hall.

"I just hope so," Rolonda murmured.

Pop

Minerva was even more distracted in her afternoon classes then she had been in the morning. Her distraction resulted in a third-year acquiring a tail, one she could not repair.

Her distraction continued into dinner, this time it was not only Rolonda who was watching Minerva concernedly, all of the other teachers were as well. They had overheard students talking of her distraction throughout the day. The fact that Minerva had had to send a boy to Poppy because she could not remove his tail only served to make them more concerned.

As dinner came to an end and Minerva once more escaped Rolonda stopped Albus before he left the room. "You have your chess game tonight, no?"

"Yes, I just hope Minerva will be able to tell me whatever it is that has been bothering her," Albus sighed.

"So do I, she needs to tell someone, whatever it is." Rolonda nodded goodnight to him and left.

Pop

Minerva was pacing in her chambers. She was so nervous about what she was about to do. She had already taken a half hour to decide on what she was wearing, a simple, deep red robe.

Ding Dong.

Minerva's eyes focused on her clock, quarter to seven, time to leave. Minerva began the walk to Albus' office, knowing that in a few minutes she would be free from the secret that she loved him.

To be continued...