Light up my World

By Stoneygem

Disclaimer: You know the lyrics of that song – so don't ask me. The things you can't find in canon are obviously mine. If the way, I portrayed or named some characters sounds like your idea, it could be, because I liked your idea so much. But to be on the safe side, let me know and I will add you in here. Some pieces of Minerva's background come from Isis Malfoy's Story "The Wizards, The Animagi and The Web of Darkness".

A/N: First of all, this is AD/MM. And it's a ship-fic. If the very thought of those two as a couple makes you throw up – then better do the Rockford-turn NOW.

This started out as a response to the Wedding-challenge in the AlbusandMinerva-group. I don't know, if it will end as one, but anyway, it's for you guys.

Okay, this is my first attempt – well, actually I try to get over my Fanfic-writing-syndrome. So comments are greatly appreciated. If you like it, tell me. If not – I don't mind negative critique, just keep in mind that in order to improve my writing, I need concrete hints. So please, tell me what you didn't like and why.

Oh my God, I can't believe, I'm actually posting something. Heaven help me!

Okay, enough of pre-babbling, here we go…

Dawn was rising over the roofs of the still sleeping town. Cold clouds of fog were wafting through the alleys of Metz. Minerva McGonagall shivered and pulled her jacket closer around herself. She hurried down the streets to her lodgings, filled with the half-desperate need to find herself a cosy place in front of a roaring fireplace. Winter, especially one as cold and wet as this, definitely was not her season. 'Must be the cat in me,' she mused.

Finally she reached the door of the little townhouse, where she spend her few days of R&R. Minerva went up to her room, lit a fire, and, after conjuring herself a hot chocolate, sat down in front of the fire.

Sipping her chocolate, her thoughts quickly went back to the things, which had driven her out of bed in the first place. Scanning the room she saw piles of parchments strewn everywhere. The gathering of the Order of the Phoenix and its adjoining forces was fast approaching and Albus had put the arrangements for this meeting completely into her hands. Albus…

Minerva sighed softly  "Albus…" Oh, how she missed him. Had it only been five days since they said goodbye? It seemed so much longer, since she had lost herself in his twinkling eyes, since she had last felt his tender kiss. Absently her fingers went to her lips as if she could still feel his mouth on hers.

The rumpling of a carriage outside startled her out of her musings. She pulled herself together and went to the desk in the corner. This meeting was very important. With the allied troops steadily advancing towards Germany and apparently winning this Muggle war, the chances for the Fighters of the Light to defeat the Dark Wizard Grindelwald and his forces were also rising. In a week a large number of fighters would meet here in Metz to discuss their next, and hopefully last, actions in this war.

Minerva desperately hoped that this war would be over soon. It had gone on for far too long and she really was tired of it. She wanted nothing more than to go home with Albus and make a life with him. And she hoped to straighten things out with her family. It had been so long since she had seen her parents, but considering her mothers last letter that was not a bad thing.

A knock on the door, once again brought the young woman back to reality. "Come in," she called.

An auburn shock of hair was the first thing to be seen. Minerva's heart did a short leap. "Minerva, really, you are dreaming again with open eyes. I've been knocking three times already and you did not react," a smoky voice said, "and once again you have not been sleeping, but roaming through the night. Albus will have my head, if you don't show signs of total relaxation next week."

Minerva smiled. "Don't worry, Arabella. I'll take the blame on me. And I just couldn't sleep anymore, so I went to check some things around the gathering place."

Arabella Figg stepped further into the room carrying a tray filled with everything one could acquire for breakfast. She looked around for a place to set it down and finally shoved some parchments off the round table in the middle of the room. Before the other witch could protest, she waged a finger at the younger woman and said in a lecturing tone "Your stay here is not only about arranging this meeting, it is also about you having a little vacation. And I promised my cousin – your fiancé – to spoil you a little and to make sure you relax. You already skipped dinner yesterday, so now you have to make it up by eating everything here."

The younger witch simply shook her head. She knew, when not to protest and therefore sat down and started to eat. Conversation during the meal stayed on the regular topics: the upcoming meeting, the war, their families, Albus. After a while, Arabella noticed that it had mostly been her to actually converse. Her companion had become more and more silent.

"What is it, girl?", she asked worriedly. "What's bothering you?"

"Nothing, really. I'm just so tired of all this. I wish we all could go home and live our lives. Do the things, we are supposed to do or want to. I know, we are here fighting, because this is something we need to do, but I have done it for the last four years and that is more than enough. I'm tired of all this fighting. I am sick of all this filth and blood. I don't want to watch my back all the time. I don't want to worry, if the people I leave in the morning will be back with me at night." Minerva buried her face in her hands. "I'm sorry, Arabella. I guess, I am just a little burned out."

"…and lonely." The older woman supplied slyly.

Minerva grinned in spite of herself. "Yes. That too. I just miss him."

"Well, you still have to wait a week, I'm afraid. And since there is nothing we can do about it, I suggest, we go back to organize the big one."

Once again, Minerva grinned. 'Thanks for Ara,' she thought. Without her, she wouldn't have made it through the last six months.

****

Somewhere near the Ardennes

Albus Dumbledore looked up from the maps he had been pouring over, when a small grey owl screeched from the back of a chair behind him. He and his troop of fighters from the Order had been gathering intelligence of the surrounding area throughout the last days and were now putting the information together. They had tried their best, but without their best spy, their little tabby cat, the information was not as thorough as usual.

The thought of Minerva brought a smile to his face. He missed her terribly. But she was the best for that job in Metz. That's why he had sent her. Maybe that owl came from her? He turned around quickly and took the letter from the owl. He opened the letter quickly and read:

Dear Albus,

Sorry, it's only me. I just wanted to let you know that our little side project is coming along nicely. I think I've got nearly everything arranged. I found somebody to do it. And I also got a 'yes' from Peri. So it seems that there is nothing in your way. Just arrive here safe and sound and the show will roll, just like you wanted it.

Tabby is alright. She doesn't even have the slightest idea. I watch out for her, but I think she will only be better, when you are here. She misses you.

You know, my dear cousin, you are really a lucky man.

Take care.

Arabella

Dumbledore couldn't help but smile at that. Yes, he definitely was a lucky man – and he would make himself even luckier. In a week…