Gertie is pretty "straightforward," in a Slytherin sort of way, though Minerva can sometimes be a tad dense in her interactions with her until she gets to know her better. Glad you like the frank Slytherin!

I'm glad you feel that -- or taste it, as the case may be!

Thanks! They do have their special romantic moments even when they think they're "just friends"!

There's just a bit of sexual chemistry there, wouldn't you say? Glad you loved it!

A bit? How about a volcano! YIKES.... the castle may not be able to remain standing if these two actually do make it to the bed together... I can already feel the foundation cracking.

I do think you'll appreciate the moment that happens, then!

I'm glad you liked that!

I'm glad you like her. I think she did a fine job with Minerva, myself! Some folks, I think, identify a bit too much with Minerva's feelings about Gertrude in this part of the story, rather than judging her on her own merits. I think that Gertrude's method of handling Minerva's behavior actually demonstrated respect for her -- as you say, she didn't just scold her.I'm rather fond of her, too! Thanks!

Thanks! There is a lot connecting them, and Albus is always "in tune" with Minerva's magical signature. And he was completely astounded -- it simply seemed impossible that she be there in that grubby little hole in that terrible situation, but there she was!It's wonderful, too, to be reminded of these scenes, of the bits & pieces and chapters that I hadn't exactly forgotten, but which I hadn't thought of in a while. It's like experiencing the story anew, myself.Thanks!

Thank you! I'm glad you appreciated those scenes. I felt that that was how Dumbledore would try to impress a lesson on Minerva.At this point, Albus is quite comfortable with his affection for her -- his love for her, even -- because at this point, it hasn't progressed into being "in love" with her. He hasn't even quite noticed she's growing into an attractive witch, though he certainly does notice her maturing mind. A pity he can't stay as comfortable with his feelings for her as they progress! Very glad you liked the chapter!

Yes, indeedy! She most certainly is! She's quite a lively portrait!

He will try various methods of dealing with it throughout the story, and we'll see how well they work out!I like Fawkes. I always wished we could see more of him. I don't use him nearly as much as I'd like to in my fics, but he's one cool bird. Or hot, depending! I'm glad you liked that bit of progress on Albus's part. Thanks!

who was head over heals for her Spanish professor and the two of them didn't notice that the other was feeling the same.... *groans* I guess we can all be blind... but hopefully, one of them SOONER or later, will speak up! I know I finally did... I'll never forget that either... anyway... these two are PERFECT for eachother, sheeeesh.

LOL! If they weren't so perfect for each other and weren't so good together, there wouldn't be much of a story, would there? Don't worry! It won't take them quite as long to get together as it will feel to you -- although quite likely, you'll be wanting to shake one or the other or both of them at different points of the story! When I started out the story, although I had a sweet PWP plot bunny jumping around in my head, I decided I wanted to write the other story that had been going through my brain for much longer, and didn't want to skip all the plot of that story. I think you'll have great fun with the story as it proceeds -- when you're not feeling like throttling the two or locking them in a cupboard together or something! LOL!Thanks very much!

Okay - help me out - PWP?

PWP =  either "Porn-Without-Plot" or "Plot? What Plot?" So jumping from Minerva swearing about Albus & his beard to their actually doing what Albus thought "an interesting idea" would have made it definitely a PWP! But PWPs can be quite hot and fun!

Ahhh... I see... yes, they can, but I think the emotional depth you're establishing makes it far more enjoyable... when they finally DO GET IT! I seriously hope they get it.... going to have to chuck them both off the Astronamy Tower pretty soon if they don't WAKE UP!

They'll also have some help along the way in "waking up" -- though you may still, at at least one point in the story, feel like chucking 'em! Remember that "Obliging Minerva" takes place in the October after RaM, and A Holiday with the Headmaster takes place actually between two chapters of RaM -- later chapters, but still -- there's hope!

If you say so...............

LOL!

Thanks!

You were very attentive indeed! :-) Very good!It was fun to write a different, but very similar, Albus & Minerva in "Momentary Madness," where Minerva still makes some of the first moves, but where he responds, and where he is quite confident and nudges things along himself early on.

Woah - must have made your day or something - I have 13 notices in my inbox that you responded to this review! Mayhaps TPP is having some issues, or were you just really happy?

No, I responded to thirteen different reviews you left for various chapters of RaM & Momentary Madness. :-)

DOH!

forgot! Silly

!

It's okay! You wrote those reviews two or three weeks ago, and I was just negligent! I'm glad I saw them again!

You were very attentive indeed! :-) Very good!It was fun to write a different, but very similar, Albus & Minerva in "Momentary Madness," where Minerva still makes some of the first moves, but where he responds, and where he is quite confident and nudges things along himself early on.

Woah - must have made your day or something - I have 13 notices in my inbox that you responded to this review! Mayhaps TPP is having some issues, or were you just really happy?

No, I responded to thirteen different reviews you left for various chapters of RaM & Momentary Madness. :-)

DOH!

forgot! Silly

!

It's okay! You wrote those reviews two or three weeks ago, and I was just negligent! I'm glad I saw them again!

Well, I think that Quin was being a bit kinder to her -- and very realistic. He not only wanted her to want him for himself and not because she was looking desperately for something to wipe away her bad feelings and replace them with something else, but he knew that anything that might begin between them then just wouldn't last, not beginning in that way at that time in Minerva's life. He also doubted that she'd ever really want to be with him, although he was definitely drawn to her, and he wants the best for her, even if that isn't him.Minerva does realize that she behaved thoughtlessly and out of her sense of need, and does apologize to him. He knows she didn't do it on purpose, though, and that she just wasn't thinking clearly -- wasn't herself. Anyway, she will come to regret it and to feel bad for hurting him, as she must have done.With these words, too, he doesn't hand her yet another rejection, which would make her feel worse about herself, but tells her, hey, give it time, and if you still think you feel this way, then come to me.Minerva was certainly not being her best self at this moment, but she'd been through a lot, and she didn't have a lot of emotional reserve left.

I suppose the last time perfection walked upon this earth was some 2000 years ago, so I'll cut her a bit of slack. *nods*

Well, I think that Quin was being a bit kinder to her -- and very realistic. He not only wanted her to want him for himself and not because she was looking desperately for something to wipe away her bad feelings and replace them with something else, but he knew that anything that might begin between them then just wouldn't last, not beginning in that way at that time in Minerva's life. He also doubted that she'd ever really want to be with him, although he was definitely drawn to her, and he wants the best for her, even if that isn't him.Minerva does realize that she behaved thoughtlessly and out of her sense of need, and does apologize to him. He knows she didn't do it on purpose, though, and that she just wasn't thinking clearly -- wasn't herself. Anyway, she will come to regret it and to feel bad for hurting him, as she must have done.With these words, too, he doesn't hand her yet another rejection, which would make her feel worse about herself, but tells her, hey, give it time, and if you still think you feel this way, then come to me.Minerva was certainly not being her best self at this moment, but she'd been through a lot, and she didn't have a lot of emotional reserve left.

I suppose the last time perfection walked upon this earth was some 2000 years ago, so I'll cut her a bit of slack. *nods*

At least they've been able to enjoy each other's company now. Don't worry -- you know from reading "Obliging Minerva" and "A Holiday with the Headmaster" that they do make it, and before the end of the summer, as well! I hope you enjoy the story of all that Minerva goes through as they arrive at the point!Thanks again for the reviews! I really enjoy them.

You are completely correct there -- the communication between them is what's missing most!

Yes, they're both on the same path, but it's like they're walking in the dark & don't know they have company! :-)

Ah, well, more than a romance, remember? Where would we be with the story if they got a clue too soon? And as you'll see later, there's a pretty good reason that Albus doesn't have a clue. Minerva does try!

Yes, exhale, inhale, exhale, inhale -- they're safe! Glad you liked it! (I wasn't sure when I started this section of the story whether I could write suspense or not, so it was a relief for me to finish it & begin to breathe, too! )

Yes, you can breathe freely again!

Thanks!

This part of the story is a bit of a nail-biter, I think! Thanks for reviewing!

*blush* Thank you. I tried to make it Churchillian. He was a pretty inspiring speaker, and I listened to some of his old radio addresses to try to get the cadence "right," or as right as possible given that this is written, not spoken.

*snip again*Albus chided himself then. No wonder she had felt neglected since she came to Hogwarts; in truth, he felt now as though he had been neglecting their friendship for much longer than that. Unforgivably, to his mind, he had only truly begun to distance himself from his feelings following an event that might have, and should have, brought them closer.WHAT EVENT?????????????? *pulls hair out*

I'm sure you've now reached that event, so I hope you've not become bald! lol!Glad you enjoyed the chapter!

Yes, and while I wouldn't say that the romance is just along for the ride in the fic, there's a lot of story there! LOL! And it really isn't quite as long as it seems, since Minerva ony had her blow-up in Poppy's office on the fourth of July and they both spend time away from Hogwarts at various points. Anyway, Minerva isn't quite as dense as Albus, but Albus is really quite dense -- but for added reasons than the obvious ones . . .Glad you liked the backstory! His backstory is one of the first parts of the story I sketched out early on. It seemed to make sense to me given the Albus we see in the first five or six books.Anyway, I'm glad you're still enjoying the story! Thanks, fuchs!