Note from Author (That's me ):Warning, all those who find a bit of lemon a bit .. Well .. Lemony. Don't read much further. But even still, don't worry, I'd never write anything I shouldn't !! (Song Angels calling by Rooster) This chapter was SO hard to write. That song is SO sad - I recommend it largely to those who feel in need of a tear-fest. Love MrsD. Dumbledore. Honorary member of the "ALBUS IS NOT DEAD SOCIETY ..."

Chapter Seven

Albus' Silent Goodbye

Albus hadn't seen Minerva all day. He rose particularly early to go to Grimauld Place and help Remus with something to do with the Order and had left before she had even awoke.

It was coming close to nine o' clock in the evening and he had only just come back to their room.
"Minerva … ?" He called out into the empty space of their quarters.

There was no reply, but the faint trickle of water from their private bathroom.

He walked past their bed into and turned the brass doorknob into the huge bathroom.

"Minerva …?"
"Albus …? Hello dear. I'm just getting undressed. I'll be out in a moment" She called out from behind a tall Chinese screen decorated in the Gryffindor lion. Albus looked around. Candles hovered above him and in ever available alcove. The bath was over flowing with pink bubbles and a most pleasant aroma filled his nostrils.
She was planning something …

"Hello sweetheart." She said huskily. Minerva emerged from behind the screen in a emerald green silk bath robe.
She draped herself over her husband and kissed him standing on her tiptoes to reach him better.

His hands wandered over her back, her hair, anywhere he could enjoying the feel of silk beneath his palms and the heat she radiated whenever he touched her.

His hand travelled to the front of her robe and he slipped his fingers inside, but she pulled away.

She waited all day for his touch and she wasn't about to waste it.

"Wait … Albus. Come on .." Minerva took his hand and lead him over to the edge of the bath. She smiled seductively and undid the knot on her waist the held the sides of her gown together... Only just. The delicate material fell off her shoulders and pooled at her feet.

Albus began to devour her with his eyes as she reclined into the steamy water, surrounded by bubbles.
"Come on in … the waters lovely" And very uncharacteristically … she giggled.

Time suddenly seemed to slow down … Albus started dreamily at his beautiful wife waiting for him in the large circle bath. It amazed him that he could arouse those sorts of feelings in anyone. Let alone the woman he desired most of all.

But his time was limited.

There was hardly anytime left to enjoy the smoky look in her eyes.

Hardly anytime at all to say all of the things he was bursting to say.

Bursting to tell her …

Then with a an impatient flick of Minerva's wand his clothes vanished and he climbed in beside her. Not wanting to waste any time his arms reached out and grabbed her waist, slowly pulling her to him.

Her body began to tingle at the movement of his tongue against her hot, damp skin. It was a raw, deep sensation that rumbled from the centre of her being and spread deliciously through her body.
Albus began to nip playfully at her overheated flesh as he kissed up and down her throat.

"Oh..." she moaned, her fingers tangled in his hair, pushing his head deeper into her neck. "Don't .. Tease me .. Albus" She gushed breathlessly, her breaths were short and quick.

"Oh, but I do love to watch you squirm …" Albus said against her lips, his hand wondering down beneath the bubbles causing her head to loll back in pleasure as it moved further down …

She panted heavily and groaned in pleasure, her fingers pushing into his back for more contact.

As quickly as her pleasure mounted it dipped and she moaned again at the loss as he moved from her.

Blue eyes linked with green and he watched as her eyes clouded over with desire. She moved over to him and with excellent precision, she lowered herself onto him.

An loud moan escaped from both their lips, Minerva savoured the feeling for just a second before moving against him.

"Mmm … Minerva …"

She leant down to give him a quick hard kiss and their pace quickened.

Albus buried his head into her shoulder as her head rolled back and she called out his name into the night, her body trembling with ecstasy.

His hands touched every piece of skin they could and he too shook with pleasure murmuring her name over and over until they crashed down upon each other, gasping for air. Gazing into one another's penetrating eyes not wanting the connection to be lost..

"I love you," She whispered and Albus' eyes filled with tears.

"And I love you Minerva,"

They lay tangled together in the soft sheets of their bed, never wanting to leave the place they had created for one another. Their sanctuary.

He felt so warm in her arms, so protected and safe. His barriers collapsed around her, but he felt so powerful.
Untouchable.

The way she fit so gloriously into his caress. How she moved against him as if she would never leave.

How he hoped they would have a bright and shining future together.

Now he regret that first night they made love upon her desk. Because he was a fool to think he wouldn't break her heart. Because even then when she was shy and awkward around him, desperate to please him. Even then he knew that both their efforts were hopeless. That some day soon it would all be ripped away from his grasp. In less than two hours he'd have to tear himself from their bed and meet his fate. Walk bravely to death and welcome it with an open embrace. He imagined if it would hurt, if feeling all the life rush from your body would be like falling into a deep sleep, or you'd know about it? Feel the light burn out from your eyes and your soul writher away from its outer shell and soar up towards the sky ?

Minerva's head rested on his chest and he stroked her silky hair as tears of love and regret ran down his cheeks.

You and I we were one
And I swore I'd stay forever
But they say all good things come to an end - my friend
Now its time to move on
But don't think that this is easy
'Cos it's hard to be leaving you behind
But you will be fine.

Very soon now … Severus was probably in his dungeon, his wand already in his hand. Counting down the moments, just the same as he was.

It was difficult what he had asked of him, but with no one else could he ask of such a favour.

Minerva stirred in her dreams and her lips parted slightly and Albus ran his finger softly across them, etching the feel of her against his skin

Oh so if you believe
Say a prayer for me
I wont be here tomorrow
Somewhere I gotta be
Things you want to say
Save them for another day
Cause I can hear the angels calling
Angels callin' for me.

Does it help if I say
That I'm really truly sorry
And that I never meant for it to end - this way
There's a place in your heart
Where you know you'll always find me
And I'll be with you wherever you are
Near or far.

One more hour. One more hour of bliss. Wrapped up in her arms. In her scent. In her love. What a fool he had been. Love conquers all. Love can tear you apart. Love can build you or break your heart.

Perhaps if he lay there just a little while longer … it would all fade away into a passing dream ?

Oh so if you believe
Say a prayer for me
I wont be here tomorrow
Somewhere I gotta be
Things you want to say
Save them for another day
Cause I can hear the angels calling
Angels callin' for me.

Albus wrenched himself away from her arms, his cheeks tracked with tears. Time seemed to slow down and he could hear his heartbeat in his ears. Its beats were numbered.

He pulled her letters tied with a ribbon from under his pillow and placed them in an inside pocket next to his pounding heart so her words of love were with him, till the very end.

Then from a draw in the bedside table he pulled his own letter and rest it against his pillow where she would wake up looking.

He stole another glance of her and stroked her cheek tenderly.

"I love you. I love you. I love you. So much,"

He pulled a cloak around himself and wiped his eye only to find fresh ones streaming out uncontrollably.

He stepped back towards the door and felt his heart tear.

"Goodbye my darling. My darling Minerva. Sweet dreams. I'll shine upon you" he whispered and as he managed to drag his eyes from her for just one moment stole silently through the door. His heart now pounding fiercely as he went to meet a messy haired, green eyed boy and his unquestionable death.

You and I we were one
And I swore I'd stay forever
But they say all good things come to an end - my friend.

"Goodbye Minerva .."