Disclaimer: I am one, not J.K. Rowling, two, not the person that owns Harry Potter (see point one), and three, not making money off this story.

Comments

excessivelyperky: Yes, there's a lot that's gonna happen that Minerva's needed for, like Order meetings. Loved your comment about Pepto-Bismol; it's made me laugh!

Quill of Minerva: Albus is here, so Minerva will be okee day! Glad you liked the banter between Severus and Albus; I tried to keep it on the shorter side because this is an ADMM story, but I'm glad it was appreciated. There'll be more in this chapter, but Severus won't be back for a while. Thanks!

DamesFan: Minerva will be okay, so don't fret! Here's your update!

Always Hopeful: Marriage for Severus? Hmmm, that's an idea. I'll think about it (can't promise anything, though). Thanks for your support!

ginger newts: Sorry about all the "love" stuff…I've never done a story like this before, and I guess I went overboard with all the "love" in chapter three. I'll be careful from now on. Thanky for reviewing!

Maura724: I'm glad you think that my sentences are well-constructed (don't you just love good grammar:p). I won't be too horrible to Minerva, and Albus will be there to reverse any damage I've done. :)

LinZe: I'm glad you thought that the interaction between Albus, Minerva, and Severus was natural (I think I'm still kind of perfecting it). Minerva will feel better, but not too soon (I have to have something to write about…ewww…that sounded like I'm turning into Rita Skeeter…anything for a story)! Thanks for reviewing!

Alesia G: Thanks for your review! Yes, I decided to let Severus know that Albus and Minerva were married because I thought he would be faithful in keeping their secret. I don't have a definite road map as to how this story is going (yet), so you're in for just as much of a ride as me. Thanks again!

alix33: No, Severus is not going to do anything bad with his knowledge of Albus and Minerva's marriage. He may be the snarky old Potions Master, but Albus does trust him, and I think Minerva does, too (just my opinion, though). I think he will keep their secret. Also, I don't think I'll make Severus too nasty in this story, but he won't be dandelions and tulips, either! He'll probably be like how I portrayed him in The Easter Holiday. Thanks for your review!

Girl from iceland: Don't be too afraid for Minerva; she'll be okay in a few days!

grungster: Thanks so much for reading and reviewing The Burdens of a Lioness and Before the Order! Don't worry, Minerva won't suffer too much (I'm not that mean). Yeah, Severus should appear a few more times throughout this story. Thanks again for reviewing!

JKMcGonagall: Thanks for such a kind review! Don't worry; I don't take your comment as an offense at all! In fact, thank you for your comment. I forgot to mention why Albus doesn't get a potion from Poppy in chapter three. I'll mention it in chapter four. Thanks again!

Hey mates!

Sorry it took kinda long for me to update. I blame it on a combination of a slight writer's block and the power going out twice and impairing our internet connection!

For all you Severus lovers, he's in this chapter. Yay! This'll probably be his last appearance for a while, though, just because I really want to focus on Albus and Minerva. Also, I apologize to anyone who thinks this chapter is out of character and doesn't like it…

A humongous THANKS to all the support you readers have given me, especially all my reviewers! Remember, every review is greatly appreciated!

Just a random thought: I saw War of the Worlds on opening day, and I would recommend it to whoever is interested in seeing it. It was really good; Spielberg and Cruise did awesome jobs!

And now for chapter four!

saiyanwizardgurl

Chapter 4: The Bantering of the Worried, the Ill, and the Snarky Old Potions Master

Albus Dumbledore felt a bit hazy as he slowly opened his eyes. This room looked rather familiar. There was a portrait of a sphinx on one of the walls, and the tartan décor looked very familiar. But that did not answer one question: why on earth was he sleeping on a couch? And then he remembered. Minerva!

He scrambled up off the couch, nearly toppling onto the floor. The headmaster pulled on his dressing gown and strode over to the bed. He sat down next to the small lump that was Minerva McGonagall and ran his fingers through her long black hair, causing a small smile to grace the Transfigurations teacher's face. After a few minutes, her eyes fluttered open. "Albus?"

"Good morning, Minerva," he said as she sat up. "How do you feel?"

"Terrible," she said, wrapping her arms around her husband's neck and resting her head on his chest.

"Anything hurt?" asked the headmaster, gently wrapping his arms around his wife.

"My head."

"Would you like me to ask Severus to bring up a potion for you?"

"Please, but…not yet. Don't move just yet."

"But why, love?"

"I'm too comfortable," said the Transfigurations teacher, snuggling into Dumbledore's beard.

The headmaster smiled. "I thought you said you have a headache?"

"Yes, but I can't really feel it like this."

Dumbledore kissed his wife gently on the top of her head. "Whatever you want, love."

"Do you have to go anywhere today?"

"I don't think so. There's always the chance that Cornelius will contact me, but I think I'll tell him that I cannot come to the Ministry today if that happens."

"Why?"

"Do you really think I'm going to leave you when you are sick?"

"Albus, you don't need to worry about me, I'm fine."

"No you're not, Minerva," he said, stroking her hair. "You're ill, and you need to rest."

"Do I really require a guard to rest?"

"Someone needs to make sure you do."

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. "Albus, are you in here?"

"He's here," said McGonagall.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," said Severus Snape when he saw the witch and wizard together.

"It's all right, Severus," said the headmaster. "What can I do for you?"

"I went to your office to ask you something, and I discovered an owl attempting to crack the glass of your window. It was carrying this."

"Indeed?" said Dumbledore, taking the letter that the younger wizard had brandished. He groaned softly as he saw the Ministry seal on the back. After scanning it briefly, he put it in one of the pockets in his robes.

"Well," said the Transfigurations teacher, lifting her head from her husband's chest, "what did it say?"

"Cornelius is requesting that I come to the Ministry."

"Then you should go, love."

"I already told you I'm not going, Minerva."

"Albus – "

"Minerva – "

"Albus," said McGonagall, "the wizarding world needs you. You know that you have to go. I'm sure Severus agrees with me," she said, looking at Snape.

The Potions Master, meanwhile, was staring at the couple with raised eyebrows. "She does have a point, Albus," said Snape quietly.

"Well, who's going to take care of her? She's sick, and Poppy is away for the summer."

"He does have a point, Minerva," said the Potions Master, sitting down on the bed.

"Whose side are you on, anyway?" asked the Transfigurations teacher, turning to the Slytherin and smiling.

"You both have points. Albus, you're needed at the Ministry, and Minerva needs someone to look after her – "

"No, I don't!"

"Yes, you do. You are very ill," said Snape, glancing over the witch's exhausted figure and the blotches of fatigue under her eyes.

"So what do we do?" asked Dumbledore, pulling his wife back so she was lying against his chest.

"You're the headmaster," said the younger wizard.

"Well," said the older wizard slowly, "would you be willing to watch her, Severus?"

"What?" said Snape and McGonagall in unison.

"I will go to the Ministry if you will give me your word that you will take care of Minerva while I'm gone."

"I think I can keep an eye on her."

"Hey!" said the Transfigurations teacher, putting on a mock pout face. "Don't I get a say in any of this?"

"Of course, love. What would you prefer? Me staying here with you or me going to the Ministry and Severus watching over you?"

"Why do I need a babysitter?"

"Because you are ill, Minerva. You need to rest. I just want you to get better," said the headmaster, wrapping his arms around his wife.

"There are those that need you," said the Potions Master. "The Order needs you."

"He's right; there's a meeting in a few days. And I need you," said Dumbledore, kissing the top of her head.

Snape smiled. "Is this the part where you two get all romantic and the little innocent kiddies leave the room?"

Dumbledore and McGonagall laughed. "Where did that come from, Severus?" asked the Transfigurations teacher.

"I have no idea," said the Potions Master, shrugging. "So, who'll it be as your babysitter? Your beloved husband or the snarky Potions Master."

"Well, you are needed at the Ministry, Albus. And I'm sure Severus is capable of watching me for a few hours."

"She does have a point, Albus," said Snape, smiling.

The headmaster sighed. "Very well. Seeing that I'm outnumbered." He kissed his wife on the forehead again and helped her to lie back down. "I'm trusting you to watch her, Severus," he said, turning to the Potions Master. "Make sure that she eats. If you don't, I'll have your head," he said playfully. "Both of you."

"I'll be a good little girl," said McGonagall, looking innocent.

"I'm sure you will," he said, stroking her hair once more before standing up to face Snape. "Thank you, Severus," said Dumbledore, clapping a hand on the Potions Master's shoulder.

"Of course." The headmaster nodded to him before leaving the room.

"Well, since I'm supposed to be watching over you, do you need anything?" asked Snape, turning to the Transfigurations teacher, who had fallen asleep. He smiled. "I'll be back later," he said, pulling the thick blanket up to McGonagall's chin. "The last thing I need is for Albus to take my head. Contrary to what the student body believes, the snarky old Potions Master isn't a brainless, greasy git. Perhaps they could occasionally justify the 'git,' but I have no idea where they came up with the 'brainless' bit. Such aggravating adolescents."

---------------------

So, how was it? Good? Bad? Let me know; all reviews are greatly appreciated!