Much Ado About Minerva

A/N: Well, here we are. At the end of yet another story. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Again special thanks goes out to Slenderpanda 597 for her beta work. If you could let me know what you thought about the story I would really appreciate it. Now without further ado... here's the end of our story.

Ch 4

Hearing a knock on his door, Albus looked up from the stack of papers on the desk in front of him, bidding the caller to enter. A moment later a smile appeared on his face as he saw Minerva enter, her tartan robes flowing behind her as she entered and closed the door. Getting up from his place and starting towards her he greeted, "Ah, Minerva! Is it that time already?"

She nodded, watching as he came closer, "It is I'm afraid. The meeting will be starting soon. We should have already left."

Wrapping his arms around her, a twinkle appeared in his eyes, "I believe they can do without us a moment longer." Leaning forward he captured her lips in a lingering kiss.

Pulling back she couldn't contain her smile any longer, "Perhaps for just a bit longer," she agreed, pressing her lips to his once again.

A few minutes passed before they pulled away again, resting her head on his chest she sighed contentedly, hearing his voice resonating in his chest as he asked, "Tell me my dear, which of my bad qualities did you first fall in love with?"

She laughed looking up at him, "For all of them together. None of them can be taken from another, so they must be taken on the whole," she answered giving his lips a quick peck. "Which of my good qualities made you first suffer love for me?"

"Suffer love! What a perfect way to put it. I must admit I do suffer; I love you against my will!" Albus smiled down at her, letting her know he was joking.

"You love me in spite of your heart. Very well if you will spite it for my sake, I will spite mine for yours," she smiled, a twinkle rivalling his sparkling in her eyes.

"You and I were never meant to court traditionally," he laughed catching her lips once more.

"No I fear we were not," she smiled, disentangling herself from him. "Now, I do believe if we do not arrive soon, they will be sending out a search party for us."

"Indeed, come, we shall be off," he took her hand and they apparated together. A split second later they arrived in front of the Burrow, their hands still clasped together. Raising her hand to his lips he gave it a gentle kiss, "Go," he said quietly, "they do not know of us yet. I hoped to keep it so, for a while longer."

She nodded, disappearing through the door. Albus took a deep breath, regaining his nerves for what he was about to do. Walking through the doors he saw the room empty except for the familiar face he'd hoped to see, "Ah, Kingsley, it just so happens you were the man I had been hoping to see."

"Is that so Professor?" Kingsley's surprised expression made Albus smile again.

"Indeed, I shall require your assistance this evening if you are so inclined," Albus said leading them out into the kitchen.

Kingsley nodded, "I will do anything I can Professor."

"Good," Albus smiled, stopping in front of the door to the garden. "I have heard that you are a bonder, have I heard correctly?"

"Yes, I have bonded a number of couples, might I ask why?" Kingsley asked, giving him a curious look.

"As I am asking your assistance, I cannot deny you. I wish this evening to be bound to another," Albus answered rather cryptically.

"I am happy for you Professor, who is the lucky woman?" Kingsley smiled, giving Albus a light slap on the back.

"Ah, now that is to remain a mystery until the correct time. Will you do so for me my friend?" Albus asked, the nerves coming back slightly.

"Of course, just tell me when," Kingsley answered with a nod.

"You shall know when it is time," Albus smiled, feeling a surge of excitement and nervousness rush through his veins as he opened the door.

...

The meeting was winding down and Albus could tell that everyone was ready to get home. Standing once more he said, "One moment more my friends, there is one last order of business I must attend to tonight." Smiling down at Minerva his eyes twinkled as he said, "Minerva, is it true that you love me?"

Taken aback her eyes widened, her mouth gaped, and a brilliant blush started at her hairline and quickly painted her entire face. Swallowing hard it took her a moment for her mind to wrap around what he'd just asked. He could see a war going on behind her eyes whether to admit her true feelings or deny them, finally she answered, "O…of course not! Albus how could you ask such a thing?!"

A confused look crossed his face as he said, "Then Remus and Arthur must have been wrong, they are the ones who first informed me."

Rising from her seat, her hands landed on her hips, "Well don't you love me?"

"Certainly not!" He answered crossing his arms, his brows furrowing.

A fire was lit in Minerva's eyes as she retorted, "Well then, Miss Tonks and Molly must have been making things up since they are the ones who told me."

Albus studied her for a moment, his face slightly crestfallen as he asked softly, "Then you don't love me?"

"No," Minerva answered firmly, "not as anything more than a friend."

"Agreed," Albus said taking her hand and shaking it, as the crowd around them jeered.

Molly was the first to her feet upon hearing their declaration, waving a piece of parchment, "Minerva, how is it that I have an owl here written by you pouring your heart out about Albus?" Molly smiled handing it to Albus with a mischievous smile.

"And one here from Albus," Arthur smirked producing another and giving it to Minerva, "claiming his undying affection for Minerva."

Both Albus and Minerva were silent, scanning the pieces of parchment in front of them with increasingly large smiles on their faces. Finishing quickly Albus asked rather hopefully, "Is this true?"

Minerva nodded pointing to the parchment in her hand, "I presume so."

Taking her hand in his, Albus's eyes twinkled down at her over his half-moon glasses once more, "I suppose I will have you. But I only do so out of pity."

She glared playfully at him, "And I do so under great persuasion, as I was told you were wasting away without me."

"Enough!" Albus laughed, beaming down at her, "I will stop your mouth," he said kissing her firmly.

Soon after Kingsley had performed the bonding and they all toasted the happy couple. Kingsley laughed, "How does it feel to be Albus the married man?"

"Better than anything in the wide world," Albus beamed down at his wife. "It is far superior to anything I could ever imagine."

She smiled back up at him, "Let us hope you never forget that."