Months later, as Harry came home from another late night at the office, he thought about the ever occurring dream he kept having. The one where he kept seeing Minerva laughing in a field-he stopped. Never before had he thought of the woman as Minerva. So stunned was he by the thought, he froze in the doorway to his room. Somewhere over their weekly teas and occasionally dinners, Harry had fallen in love with Minerva. He stood there with only one thought running through his mind, 'What do I do?' He had promised Minerva that he would be honest with her, but at the same time, did he want to risk the friendship he had fought so hard for?

Sighing, he turned around and went downstairs to retrieve his cloak. Lily was at the Burrow, so he didn't think twice about leaving the wards and apparating straight to Hogwarts.

Minerva growled as she made her way down to her office from her quarters. Someone was knocking absurdly loud on her door. Tying the sash of her robe tightly, she flung open the door, the annoyed remark dying on her lips at the sight of Harry standing nervously in front of her.

"Harry? What are you doing here so late?" Minerva asked, looking around them worriedly, "Did something happen to Lily? Do you need to take the boys home?"

Harry shook his head, "No, no everyone's fine. I'm here to talk to you."

Minerva arched a brow, "At two in the morning?"

"Yeah." He sheepishly scratched at the back of his neck.

She stepped back from the door, gesturing for Harry to come inside, "Well, come on then, before both of us die of old age."

Cracking a smile at last, Harry stepped into the spacious office. Turning around, he watched as Minerva closed the door.

"So what's so important that you almost broke my door down at this unholy hour?" She asked, leading Harry to the back room.

"Like you were asleep." Harry shot back, falling easily into their routine banter.

"I could have been."

He snorted, "Minerva, it's Wednesday night, you're doing the paperwork that you couldn't do because you were supervising a visit to Hogsmede."

Minerva grumbled and sat down, tucking her legs under her, "So what is the reason you're banging on my door like a lunatic?" She asked, summoning two cups of tea up from the kitchens.

Swallowing thickly, Harry stood up and paced in front of the small table, "Well I'm not really sure how to explain, so…" He sighed, turning to face her, "I've fallen in love with you."

Slowly Minerva lowered the cup she had raised to her lips and narrowed her eyes, "You're joking right?"

"No."

She sighed, placing the cup back on its saucer, "What do you want from me Harry?" Minerva whispered, looking deeply into his bright green eyes.

"Your love." He answered honestly, sitting down beside her.

"My love?"

He nodded, "Yes."

"You already have it."

Smiling, he pulled her in close, "Good."

Well that was a long ride.

Thanks for reading!

Ro.