Chapter One: The ominous personals ad.

Albus Dumbledore sat in his office at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The wizened wizard sat with his feet propped up on top of his large oak desk, half-moon spectacles perched on the end of his crooked nose as he read through his copy of the Daily Prophet.

It was the middle of June and most the staff members had decided to stay for a few weeks at the Castle before they went on their on vacations for the summer. The ones he knew for a fact were there were Fillius Flitwick; the Charms Professor and his wife Pomona Sprout; Professor of Herbology, Madam Rolanda Hooch; the school' flying instructor and Quidditch Ref., Hagrid; the grounds keep, Poppy Pomfrey; the Mediwitch who had her husband Alastor Moody staying with her, Severus Snape; the young Potions Master, the ghosts, Peeves, Irma Pince; Librarian, Argus Filch; Caretaker, and lastly his Deputy Headmistress, Best friend, and Transfiguration teacher Minerva McGonagall.

Now that was a name that made him pause in his readings and drift off into space for a moment.

Minerva McGonagall. He repeated in his mind. Yes, the lovely Miss McGonagall. His best friend and ex-student. They have been friends since her first year at school. He could remember it clearly. The little ebony haired witch who had arrived early to his class and immediately caught his eye. Long obsidian hair, deep emerald eyes that sparkled with life, and brilliant white teeth. She had instantly taken a liking to him and he her. Then when she came back to teach they became closer. Spending every chance they could with each other. Whether it was for the occasional drink, playing chess, doing paper work or just simply enjoying each other's company.

Albus smiled to himself as his thoughts drifted to all those walks and long nights just spent in each other's company. Yes, she was his dearest friend.

He couldn't help but, think how the little curious girl he had taught blossomed into such a gorgeous creature. Long legs that seemed to gone on forever. Fully rounded breasts, curvaceously slim body, ample backside. Her voice had deepened a bit over time but, still had that wonderful Scottish lilt of her native tongue. Her hair had grown out too although she keeps it in that dreadfully strict bun all the time. He can only imagine how it would feel to run his fingers through it.

His musings were interrupted, however, by a stern voice from the wall behind him.

"I see that smile on your face, boy. I know what you're thinking and you should be ashamed of yourself." said Armando Dippet's portrait.

Albus rolled his eyes.

Armando was the Headmaster before him. His mentor and was also Minerva's Headmaster when she was in school. Armando had always known of Albus' attraction to Miss McGonagall and although he thought the two would make a wonderful couple he couldn't help his old fashioned ways. It wasn't right in his upbringing to think of a woman the way he knows the current headmaster is, unless that woman is your wife. Aside from that Armando had been close friends with Minerva's parents up until his death and couldn't help feeling a bit protective of the witch.

Dilys Derwent looked crossly at Armando's portrait from her own before snapping, "Oh, Armando you old bat! Leave the boy alone. It is perfectly nature of him to want to think of the girl that way." She paused before adding a bit grudgingly, "I'm glad he is thinking about young Minerva that way instead of that skimpy witch he has been dating."

Albus cringed when the former Headmistress said this.

He had forgotten about the witch he has currently been seeing, Miss Stephanie Ashford.

Stephanie Ashford was nothing like Minerva at all. Tall, blonde, and willowy with steel grey eyes. They barely had anything in common and in truth Albus was getting rather tired of his "lady", so to speak.

She had a knack for wanting the expensive things in life which is nothing like Minerva. His Minerva loved the little things with the occasional high quality stuff.

Albus frowned for a moment. His Minerva? Where did that come from?

He shook his head.

Only then did he become aware of the heated argument going on in the portraits behind him. So, with a heavy, exasperated sigh; he set down his newspaper and turned to the portraits behind him.

When the paintings saw the hard look on Dumbledore's face their arguing ceased.

"Thank you," he said after their speaking stopped. "Now," He said firmly, "I will not have anymore of this talk or arguing about Professor McGonagall and myself. There is nothing between us." A few of the portraits scoffed at that. Albus glared at them before continuing," As I was saying we are just friends."

There was a pregnant pause before the Headmaster heaved another resigned sigh, "Besides I have Stephanie to deal with."

Many of the portraits grumbled their disapproval of the Headmaster's current choice of girlfriend.

"But, it's not Stephanie you want is it?" questioned Dilys.

"No, it's little Miss Minerva he wants." answered Phineas Nigellus.

"That's enough you lot." Albus said, cutting off further discussion, "I said no more talk about Minerva and myself and I mean it."

With that he turned around picked up his newspaper again.

As he opened the yellowed paper he ended up opening it unto the Personals adds.

With not much thought he started scanning through them until one seemed to catch his eye. He set the paper down on top of his desk and laid it out flat to get a better look at it.

It read this:

If you like Pina Coladas and getting caught in the rain.

If you're not into yoga, if you have half a brain.

If you like making love at midnight in the dunes on the cape.

Then I'm the love that you've looked for. Write to me and escape.

Albus sat back in his chair and stared at the small personals ad for what seemed like an eternity before making up his mind. He took out a piece of parchment and began to write out a response.

TBC