Chapter Seven: Pre-Christmas fun

It had been two weeks since Albus and Minerva had gotten together and things could not have been better. Minerva spent most of her free time in his quarters, often curling up in front of the fire together while she did her homework and he marked essays. Poppy and Rolanda had noticed her continued absence, but she only told them that she was taking advanced transfiguration lessons. She did not yet feel comfortable revealing to anybody the nature of her and Albus's relationship.

She was attracted to him. She was very, very attracted to him. Kisses were all well and good, but that day in the classroom when Albus had run his hand up her leg….the sensations were still causing butterflies in her stomach. She wasn't quite ready to sleep with him, although she knew she definitely wanted to. But she also wanted to take her time getting to know Albus as more than just her Transfigurations professor. She knew nothing about his family or childhood. But she also knew she couldn't keep ignoring the lust seeping through her veins. So she decided to take things a little bit further, but not too far.

Minerva was pulled out of her thoughts by Albus as he sighed and set his essays and her book down on the table. He tightened his arms around her and kissed her head as she leaned back into his chest, breathing in his cologne. "You smell nice," she murmured. "As do you," he replied, leaning down for a kiss. Albus let his mind wander for a few moments as Minerva closed her eyes and rested back against him. He loved her. He was absolutely certain. It was more than just the thrill of dating a beautiful young girl that had him engaging in a few more cold showers than usual. He was incredibly attracted to her. Yes, he'd dated attractive women before, even a model for Witch Weekly, but there was something different about Minerva. Her intelligence and quick wit was unmatched by anyone he knew and she could challenge him for hours in chess. Of course, Albus would love to see and feel her soft skin and beautiful curves. He didn't want to push her, but he couldn't help but remember how she responded to his hand running up her leg. Perhaps he would continue with a few touches and see how things progressed.

"Minerva my dear, are you returning home for Christmas, or staying at Hogwarts?" he asked as she walked back from his bathroom. She shrugged her shoulders and poured another cup of tea. "I haven't decided yet. I miss my family, but I will miss you more. Are you staying?" Dumbledore nodded as he also moved to the teapot. "I am indeed. But that shouldn't influence your decision. Your family is important Minerva." Minerva shrugged. "It doesn't really matter. My mother and father will be hosting several important dinners and the McGonagall Christmas Ball. They won't really notice if I'm there or not. I'd rather stay here. Hamish isn't here." She mumbled that last part, but Dumbledore still heard her. "Who is Hamish?" he inquired. Minerva sighed. "He's the son of Father's oldest and most trusted friend. His parents and mine have been trying to arrange a marriage between us since I was fourteen. Every year he proposes, I turn him down and Mother and Father demand an explanation. I don't want to put up with that this year. I'd rather spend it with you."

He smiled and kissed her. "Have you got a date for the Christmas Ball? It's tomorrow night after all." Minerva blushed and looked at their joint hands. "Well Alastor Moody has asked me but I told him I would think about it. I actually wanted to tell you first, in case you saw us and got the wrong idea." Dumbledore looked downcast as he listened to Minerva. How he wished he could go with her. "I think you should go with him Minerva. It's important to keep up appearances. And I'm sure no one would think twice about the Transfiguration professor sharing a few dances with his best student." His smile faded at her sad expression. "What is it?" "I just wish we could attend together." He pulled her onto his lap and gently stroked her cheek. "One day we will. Only another eighteen months until you graduate Minerva. And then we will be free to be together, without all the secrecy." They both stood up and walked to the door, as it was getting late and Minerva needed to find Alastor and accept his invite. They exchanged passionate kisses and words of affection before Minerva reluctantly left.

She looked at her watch as she raced down the corridor. 8:45. Curfew was in fifteen minutes and Minerva still needed to find Alastair. She took off towards the dungeons, hoping he was hanging around the corridors with his friends. He generally didn't go into the common room until the last few minutes before curfew. "Alastair!" she yelled out as she rounded a corner and spotted him. "Hey Min," he said, strolling up to her. "Hey listen, are you still wanting me to go to the ball with you tomorrow night?" He nodded at her. "Yeah I'd love for you to still come with me. Shall I meet you in front of the Great Hall at 6:45?" Minerva nodded at him. "That would be great. You'd best get inside, Mr Moody, curfew is in five minutes." He laughed at her. "Sorry Miss-my-curfew-is-at-9:30-cause-I'm-a-prefect." She rolled her eyes at him and left, intent on going to the library to finish her homework. However, that didn't exactly happen.

"Hey McGonagall," Tom said as he sauntered down the corridor and stopped in front of her. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes and tried to push past him. "Excuse me Riddle," she said coldly. He smiled at her and blocked her way. "What do you want?" she said, sighing at him. "You're going to the ball with me," she said. "No, I'm going with Alastor," she said, pushing him aside. He grabbed her wrist and spun her around. "No," he whispered, staring into her eyes. "You're going with me." She struggled to break free, but his grip was too tight. "No I'm not! Let go of me you arse!" Tears started to form as he pushed her back against the wall. She normally didn't lose control of her emotions when faced with a violent situation but it felt like her wrist was breaking. "Please….let me go!" Minerva whimpered. "RIDDLE!" Minerva turned to see Dumbledore thundering towards them, his face lit with fury. She whispered a silent prayer of thanks as her salvation raced over and threw Tom back from her. "Get out!" he yelled, bending down to check Minerva, who was slumped on the floor.

As Tom slinked out of the dungeons, he looked back over his shoulder and saw Dumbledore kneeling on the floor, holding Minerva close to him, one hand rubbing her back and the other gently stroking her hair. She had her arms around his neck, crying into his robes with her head on his chest, his chin resting on it. 'Well, this is interesting', Tom thought. He quickly scurried off before Dumbledore came after him. "Minerva, my darling I'm so sorry this happened," Dumbledore whispered to her. She smiled weakly and looked up at him. "It wasn't your fault Albus. You saved me. Thank you so much." She accepted his hand as he stood up, pulling her with him. "Let me take you to the hospital wing Minerva and get that wrist looked at. Just to make sure that little snake didn't do any damage." Minerva smiled at the scowl on his face. "Ok. Just for you."

Half an hour later and Minerva had been cleared by the matron. Dumbledore offered her his arm and they walked slowly down the corridor. "Sleep with me tonight," Dumbledore said suddenly. Minerva looked at him in shock. "I'm sorry?" "No, no, no," he said quickly. "I didn't mean it like that. I mean just stay with me tonight. Don't go back to the Tower." He stopped and turned to face her. "Otherwise I'll be up all night worried about you. I understand if you don't want to," he added quickly. Minerva reached up and stroked his cheek. "I'd love to," she whispered. They kissed gently, being careful not to be seen, and continued the walk to his quarters. Once there, Albus motioned for Minerva to sit down as he quickly tidied up. Once he'd finished he walked over to the couch and sat down next to her. She smiled at him and reached up to gently kiss him. He instantly returned the kiss, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. They continued to explore every corner of each other's mouth, as Dumbledore gently laid her down on the couch. He broke off for a moment and looked into her eyes, searching for signs of encouragement.

She nodded at him and pulled his head down to hers, as his hand stroked her leg. She inhaled sharply as his hand moved further upwards, slipping under her skirt and gently tickling her skin. "Albus…that feels fantastic," she whispered. "Minerva, I love you. And I'm very attracted to you. But I won't do anything that you're not ready for. If you want me to stop anything, tell me, ok?" She gave him a quick kiss before answering. "Albus, I love you too. And I'm also very attracted to you. I love when you touch me. I dream of it. Please, don't stop." He looked into her eyes, filled with longing and desire then bent down and kissed her forcefully, running his hands up and down her thighs. He continued to move his left hand up her body, slipping it under her shirt and gently trailing his nails over her skin, sending shivers up her spine.

She wrapped her legs around him as he started to kiss her neck, his hands carefully removing the band that kept her ponytail up. As he ran his hands through her hair and kissed every inch of her beautiful face he could find, she reached up and pushed his outer robe off, leaving him in a light summer robe that buttoned up the front. Albus picked Minerva up so she was sitting on his lap and stroked her cheek. "We should probably get some sleep," he whispered. "Mmmm," she replied, her mouth more occupied with his ear. She pushed him back and kneeled over him, then lent down to kiss him again. Completely lost in the sensations forming inside of him, Albus slipped his hands under Minerva's skirt and pulled her down to sit on him, squeezing her arse. Minerva broke off the kiss and looked at him in shock. "Minerva, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable," he said. "No, you didn't," she said quickly. "It was just a bit unexpected. But I loved it. However, you're right. We should get some sleep." She smiled at him and stood up to stretch, giving just the slightest glimpse of her smooth stomach. He slowly walked up to her and before she could say anything, he scooped her up into his arms and carried her into his bedroom.