Dedicated to my dearest Titania. The bravest, kindest, and strongest girl I know. I love you to the moon and back my darling and I would be completely lost without you x.

Sparks

The first weeks back at school were always the hardest for Minerva. While she was never one to sit idle, the summer months were a welcome period of relaxation and it always took her a little while to get back into the swing of things when September rolled around. The first week or so of the summer holidays were spent tieing up any loose ends from the previous school year but then she was free to spend her days as she pleased. She read quite a bit, wrote an article or two for the daily profit, and spent quite a bit of time, much to her delight, with Albus Dumbledore. The two had known each other for many years and were strictly speaking the best of friends. But behind the closed doors that were her heart, Minerva had no trouble admitting that her feelings for him were far beyond friendship. But out in the open, no matter how much she wished otherwise, they were the Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts. Nothing more. Nothing less. But that never stopped her stealing a glance into those captivating blue eyes when they played one of their evening chess games over glasses of firewhiskey as the setting summer sun cast its amber glow into the room. She cherished these encounters and allowed her heart to be contented.

But now she not only had her own students to worry about but those of Durmstrang and Beauxbatons as well. While of course she'd been excited when Albus had told her that Hogwarts was to host The Tri-Wizard Tournament she was understandably a little bit nervous as she knew quite well the many cons of the legendary event. But she decided to push those thoughts aside and focus on the equally many pros that the glorious games had to offer. The visiting school's entrances had been spectacular, as she knew they would be, and as she headed back to her quarters after a very enjoyable evening her naturally competitive mind began to weigh the options for Hogwarts' participants. She was so lost in her thoughts that the gentle voice that came up behind her caught her completely off guard, causing her to jump as it began to speak. "I'm sorry I startled you," Albus said kindly as she turned to face him. "No I'm sorry," she chuckled in reply "I was miles away". He smiled kindly at her before continuing. "Are you willing to give me a chance to win back my dignity?" he joked as the two began to walk again "last Saturday was one of the most shameful performances of my career". "Alright," she said with a smirk "but only if you'll play host". He gave a nod of agreement and they continued to his office.

Albus stepped back to allow Minerva to enter the room before him and with a wave of his wand the fire began to emit gentle heat from its pit. Minerva took up her customary seat facing the door and took out the chessboard, placing it in front of her. As it was a school night, their preferred fire whiskey was swapped with a hot cup of tea, and Minerva thanked Albus as he passed her her beverage. "I'll allow you the first move" she teased and Albus chuckled under his breath as he commanded his pawn to move. A few moves later Albus cleared his throat. "I was thinking about possible participants for the tournament this year," he said as his knight slid across the board "I feel we are in with a fair chance". "As do I," Minerva replied, smirking slightly as her knight smashed one of Albus' bishops. "I was thinking about it before you snuck up on me". Albus jokingly winced as the shards of his pawn fell to the floor and he made his next move. "Yes, I am sorry about that my dear," he said gazing up at her then back to the board "it really wasn't my intention to frighten you". She smiled at him before uttering her next move then looking cockily up at him uttered "checkmate" as her knight smashed Albus's king. "Ah, my one chance wasted" he sighed with a smile, "very well played Minerva". Then he got up and moved toward her. "Can I offer you another cup?" he asked, gesturing to the empty cup resting in her lap. "Please," she smiled and she handed it to him.

"I saw Mister Diggory being urged to put his name in the goblet" she continued as Albus poured the tea. "Yes. A suitable candidate I think," Albus answered as he brought back over the cups "he's a fine boy". As he tried to hand Minerva back her cup he fumbled, spilling its contest into his poor deputy's lap. She gasped as the hot contents soaked through her robes and Albus dropped to his knees beside her. "Oh, Minerva I'm so sorry!" he said waving his hand and conjuring a handkerchief to help clean poor Minerva up. "Oh Albus it's alright" she reassured as he continued to fuss over her, apparently not hearing her. With her protests still wielding no response, she gently took his hand and repeated herself quietly "it's alright". Then blue eyes met green and they held each others gaze for just a moment before Minerva darted her head nervously toward the clock. "Goodness look at the time," she said awkwardly and she began to get up. "Thank you for a lovely evening as always Albus," and she moved toward the door. "No, thank you" Albus answered softly "Goodnight Minerva". With that Minerva returned his goodnight and left the room. As the staircase began to spiral toward the ground Minerva tried to calm her pounding heart. Was she going mad? Maybe the sensation of the hot tea burning her lap had clouded her vision? But as she began to walk toward her quarters she doubted less and less that she was. Something about his eyes had been different, he'd never looked at her like that. When she'd taken his hand and their eyes met something was as it had never been before. This thought continued to plague her as she tried to let sleep claim her that night and no matter how hard she tried she couldn't push the message her hopeful heart was trying to deliver. That maybe, just maybe, something might have changed.

Dearest Titania, I hope you are loving my story as much as I love you x.