Chapter 21
For several minutes all Albus could do was lean trembling and shocked against the cold stone wall of the passage, as Poppy wiped tears from her eyes and seemed nearly as stunned as Albus. He could scarcely believe that Minerva was gone, he'd thought that at last they would be happy, even though he'd feared that Minerva might not forgive him once she heard his confession. Now his world was in ruins again and all rational thought seemed to flee from his mind, so that all that was left was a vast lonely emptiness.
At last Albus seemed to regain his senses a little, "Did she say anything else ...anything else at all ?" He asked in a voice that shook.
Poppy shook her head glumly, "No ...that's all she said. Then she just left ...she didn't even wait to pack or anything ...didn't take anything with her ...just portkeyed away as though she couldnt stand to be here anymore." As she finished speaking Poppy started to sob once more.
As Albus reached out to pat Poppy comfortingly on the arm, Poppy noticed the baby that slept securely in his arms. "You have Harry !" She gasped, "So Minerva was right ?"
Albus nodded sadly, as guilt threatened to overwhelm him, "I have been very wrong, I should have listened to Minerva sooner ..." He whispered mournfully.
Instantly Poppy's instincts as a healer took over, as she gently lifted Harry from Albus' embrace and examined him, asking anxiously, "Did they hurt him ?"
Briefly Albus explained what he had discovered at the Dursleys, Poppy looked utterly horrified as Albus continued, "Oh you poor little mite." She cooed, gazing at the baby in her arms with a tender motherly expression.
When Albus had finished telling Poppy everything, she said firmly, "I really would like to examine Harry properly in the hospital wing Albus. I know you are convinced that they didn't hurt him in other ways, but still it would be prudent to check, and to make sure that he is properly nourished - he looks a little underweight to me."
Albus sighed, as the guilt he felt gnawed at him once more, Poppy was right - Harry did look a little thin. Why hadn't he thought to take him to Poppy at once ?
"Oh Albus, don't look like that ..." Poppy said soothingly, "Of course you wanted to take him to Minerva first, that's only natural."
Albus thanked Poppy for her kindness then anxiously accompanied her to the hospital wing. While Poppy gently examined Harry, Albus tried to distract him by making shadow puppets on the wall that danced and sang. At last Poppy's examination was complete, and Albus was vastly relieved to hear that Harry was fine, though he could do with a bit of feeding up.
Every instinct that Albus had screamed that he should go after Minerva at once, and try to win her back, but as he gazed at Harry in Poppy's arms he knew that for now Harry was the priority. He could not leave Hogwarts untill he was certain that Harry was as well protected as he possibly could be. He needed Severus' help for this. Somehow thinking about Harry, and protecting him let Albus regain his normal capacity for thought, and he realised that it was also imperative that he discover how Minerva had found out about the prophecy. Albus frowned as he wondered if the prophecy was now common knowledge, he knew that Minerva would not say anything to anyone about it, but who had told her ? It was still important for Harry's safety that as few people as possible knew about the prophecy.
"I must make sure that Harry is well protected here, that Hogwarts is safe ...it will be a long nights work, would you mind taking care of Harry for me ?" Albus asked, thinking that Poppy seemed the perfect choice to look after the child for him.
Poppy smiled down at Harry, and tenderly brushed a stray hair from his face, "I'd love to ..." She answered softly.
"Harry would you like to stay with Auntie Poppy for a while ?" Albus asked gently. "Granpa Alby has some important things he has to do, but I'll come see you soon."
Harry's only answer was to tug on Albus' beard as he bent over harry. "Ouch ..." Said Albus, as Harry pulled particularly hard, "He always did have a fascination with my beard ... I rather hope he will grow out of it eventually ..." He added, as he smiled down at his grandson tenderly.
Albus kissed Harry softly on his black locks, ruffled his hair and with a quiet word of thanks to Poppy, turned to leave.
"Albus ...you will go after Minerva won't you ?" Poppy asked desperately.
"How could I do anything else ?" Albus answered softly, then seeing the sadness in Poppy's face, and remembering how fond she was of Minerva he added gently, "I assure you my dear Poppy I will do my best to bring her home to us." Albus' eyes grew sorrowful and dull as he prayed that his best would be enough. With a final fond glance at Harry, who had just discovered Poppy's healers badge and was fascinated by it, Albus left the hospital wing and made his way to his study. He'd already decided that this would be the best place to begin his investigation into who had told Minerva about the prophecy, Albus frowned in concern as he strode along the passages, apart from himself the portraits in his study were the only ones who knew about the prophecy - surely one of them wouldn't have told minerva, so did that mean there was a spy in the school ?
When Albus reached his office he found the portraits slumbering softly in their frames, just as they had been when he'd arrived back from the Dursleys. The portrait of Armando Dippet hung above the desk, Armando was Albus' closest confidant among the portraits - perhaps he would know what had happened, at least he might be able to offer some insight. Albus cleared his throat, "Armando ..." he said softly.
"What ...what ...Oh Albus it's you ..." Armando spluttered as he emerged from sleep, then his face grew grave as he remembered what had happened earlier that day. "Albus my dear boy I have some terrible news for you ..."
"Minerva knows about the prophecy ..." Albus finished wearily, sinking into a chintz armchair by the fire.
"You know already ?!" Armando gasped, surprised.
"Poppy told me." Albus sighed, as he rested his head in his hands miserably.
Armando looked horrified at this, "Poppy knows about the prophecy ?" He asked, now desperately worried.
"No ...No of course not, all Poppy knows is that Minerva has left Hogwarts." Albus answered his voice shaking on the final words.
"Oh my dear dear boy, I am so sorry ..." Armando said gently, as he saw how forlorn Albus looked.
"The fault is mine, you were wise enough to warn me what might happen, and I was foolish enough not to listen to you." Albus whispered as unshed tears shimmered in his eyes, and threatened to fall.
For a few minutes there was silence in the room, as Armando wished that he were able to reach out and comfort Albus with a gentle hand on his shoulder, as he would have done when alive, and Albus seemed sunk in gloom. Then Albus roused himself from his regrets, and forced himself to focus on what needed to be done.
"Do you know how Minerva found out about the prophecy ?" Albus asked.
"Indeed I do know." Armando replied, and proceeded to explain to Albus what had happened earlier that day. Albus listened in attentive silence, as Armando told how a bored Phineus Nigellus had instigated a discussion with two of the other portraits about whether or not the prophecy was real, and how despite Armando's attempts to silence them, things had degenerated into a shouting match - largely provoked by Phineus. Among the hubbub no one had noticed that Minerva had chosen this moment to firecall Albus, not one of them had noticed Minerva's aghast face watching from the fireplace untill it was too late, and she had heard all about the prophecy and Harry's part in it. She had of course put two and two together, and realised that Albus had decieved her. A realisation that was confirmed when she insisted that Armando tell her the full truth, faced with Minerva's anger and unwilling to lie, Armando had had no choice other than to explain everything to Minerva. After telling Albus this Armando tried desperately to apologise, Albus simply said softly that he understood, and asked Armando to tell him what happened next. As Armando described Minerva's fury at her discovery of Albus' deceit, Albus' head dropped into his hands in utter despair - what would he do if he had lost Minerva forever ?
All Armando's attempts at words of comfort failed, as Albus continued to stare despairingly at the floor, head clutched in his boney fingers. It was only when Armando in a desperate attempt to rouse Albus from his gloom, asked where he had been all day, that Albus remembered about Harry and the need to protect him.
Tears still shone in Albus' eyes and glinted on his pale cheeks, as he raised his head at last, "I went to check on Harry ...it seems I was wrong about that too. I have brought him home with me." Albus said, as he brushed a tired hand across his face, then in a determined voice said "I must summon Severus, I shall need his help with the extra wards and protections that will now be needed."
Albus and Severus slaved long into the night, erecting wards and protections. Albus battled valiantly to push all thoughts of Minerva from his mind, and focus on protecting Harry. Every time that Severus would suggest that the boy was now well enough protected, Albus would shake his head and insist that yet another layer of protection be added.
The autumnal sun was high in the midday sky by the time they had finished. Every possible spell had been cast, and many ancient wards of protection had been invoked. "Do you think it will be enough Severus ?" Albus asked faintly, his voice trembling with exhuastion.
"We have done all that we can do, there is nothing more to be done, whatever happens will happen." Severus snapped impatiently, why should he care what happened to the boy ? He was certain that he would loathe the Potter brat, how could he not loathe James' son ? Then he noticed how Albus' face paled at his words, and how weak and drained the older man looked, and added more gently, "Albus we have cast every possible ward and spell, Hogwarts was already one of the best protected places in the wizarding world - it is now even better protected. Also you are here, as are many other powerful witches and wizards, the brat ...the boy may not have the blood protection any more, but other than that he is safer here than anywhere else."
Albus rested his hand softly on Severus' shoulder in a gentle fatherly gesture, "Thank you my boy." He said, then added "And Severus, his name is Harry."
Severus muttered something incomprehensible under his breath in reply, and for a second there was a hint of a twinkle in Albus' eyes, then sorrow and loss dulled them again.
"I must go and find Minerva ...try to ...try to bring her home ..." Albus muttered, in a voice that trembled.
"You should rest first." Severus answered, knowing that Albus would ignore his advice and go anyway.
"How can I rest without Minerva ?" Albus whispered softly, his gaze fixed on the picture of Minerva that stood on his desk. "I must go and talk to her. You will guard Harry for me ? Keep him safe ?"
"Of course." Severus answered, "Just don't expect me to babysit the brat." He added hurridly, even at a time like this, you never knew what crazy idea Albus might come up with.
Albus was already getting ready to leave for the small glen in the Scottish highlands, where the McGonagall family home was, he was certain that Minerva would have returned to her childhood home. Before he left, he told Severus the location of Minerva's home, and instructed him to summon him immediately at the slightest hint of danger.
Before portkeying to Minerva's family home, Albus poked his head into Poppy's rooms to see how Harry was. Normally Albus would have chuckled at the scene that met his eyes, but not today, not with Minerva gone. Today he was too aware of the emptiness that was within him, to do more than stand and watch as Poppy and Harry built a tall tower out of old bandages, a tower that threatened to come tumbling down at any moment.
"Granpa Alby ..." Harry cooed, as he caught sight of Albus, "Granpa Alby ...play." Harry demanded.
Albus stepped into the room and gathered Harry into his arms, "I'm afraid I can't play with you now Harry." Albus said gently, "I have to go and see someone, someone very important. I'll come and play with you when I get back."
"Me want Granma Minmin." Harry demanded.
"So do I Harry ...so do I." Albus whispered, as he rested his head against Harry's jet black hair for a second, to hide the sudden tears that shone in his eyes. Once he'd regained his self controll, Albus kissed Harry softly, promised to return as soon as he could, and handed the child to Poppy, who had discovered her old teddy bear, and was making it wave it's paw at Harry.
With a final glance at Harry, who was now happily playing with the teddy, Albus stepped from the room and portkeyed to a mountain glen hidden deep in the wilds of Scotland.
There was a faint pop as Albus appeared in the secluded highland glen, he looked unusually old and fragile, as he stood for a few minutes gazing at the small stonebuilt house nestled among the pine trees. The wind that howled down from the mountains seemed almost to taunt him, as it pounded him with gusts that nearly knocked him from his feet. Albus had been here many times before, not always on happy occasions, but never before had he been so deathly afraid, so full of sorrow and guilt.
Finaly Albus gathered his strength and took a step towards the house, then with a haunted expression on his face paused again uncertainly, as he thought the unthinkable, 'What if Minerva wouldn't forgive him ?' The icy November wind lashed at his face, and tore at his robes, as Albus stood head bowed with a heart full of dread. At last he seemed to regain some of his courage, and stepped once again towards the stone building, that had it's door shut so firmly against him.
Reaching the green wooden door, Albus raised a trembling hand and knocked. Icy silence was the only answer, anyone else might have been fooled into thinking the house empty, but Albus was certain that Minerva was there. "Minerva please ..." He called desperately, then knocked again harder and louder than before, but the door remained stubbornly closed. Several more times, Albus knocked, and begged Minerva to open the door, to just talk with him. His pleas were swept away by the wind and lost among the mountains, and still no response came from within.
Albus rested his head despairingly against the hard wood of the door, he could sense Minerva's presence in the house, even if she wouldn't forgive him she should at least be told the news about Harry. Albus lifted his head from the door, and knocked once again, "Minerva I must talk to you, I have news about Harry."
Instantly the door was flung open, and Minerva stared at him pale faced and enraged, "Well ?" She snapped.
The ice in Minerva's voice overwhelmed Albus with a sense of impending doom and loss, so that for a time he was lost for words, and could not even bring himself to look into those emerald eyes he loved so well. Just as the door was about to slam in his face, Albus gathered his senses and spoke, "Minerva I went to check on Harry ...You were right, they weren't fit to care for him ...I took him away from them, brought him back to Hogwarts ..."
Furiously Minerva interrupted him, "You dare to try and bribe me, to win me back by using Harry ..." She snarled. Minerva saw the pain on Albus' face as she made her accusation, but she didn't care, why should she when he'd hurt her so much, now it was her turn to wound him.
"No ... no ...my love ..." Albus stuttered, wounded to his core by the thought that she could imagine him capable of something like that, he barely noticed how Minerva raised her hand as though she would strike him at the words my love. "I would never ...I just thought that you should know ...I ..."
"You will bring Harry here to me, I shall care for him." Minerva commanded, her eyes blazing, "You are not fit to care for him, I would not trust you with him." She added, her voice full of contempt.
At her words Albus stepped back as though struck, and his face paled, leaving it looking gaunt and haggard.
As though expecting an argument, Minerva continued, "And do not tell me that it is too dangerous for him to be here, you are more than capable of erecting wards and protections to keep him safe."
"I had hoped that you might forgive me ...that we could care for him together ..." Albus whispered, after a couple of minutes of despairing silence.
At that Minerva's seething rage, boiled over, and erupted like a volcano, "You dare to speak to me of forgiveness ..." She thundered, as she advanced on the man who stood trembling and broken before her. "Haven't I forgiven you enough already !? All these weeks you have refused to listen to me, expected me to just accept whatever decision you chose to make. You couldn't even tell me the truth, didn't even tell me the real reason why. You lied to me, decieved me." Once again Minerva raised her hand as though she would strike Albus, only this time the blow fell, making stinging whiplike contact with his face.
Albus could have ducked the blow, instead he let it strike him with full force, feeling that he deserved no better, his face deathly pale, his eyes dead and lifeless, an ugly red mark where her hand had struck. In those moments after Minerva had hit him, Albus seemed to shrink a little as though all his strength and will to go on had left him.
Minerva stared at Albus stunned by what she had done, immediately she had hit him her anger had left her, now she just felt empty and drained, devoid of emotion. Slowly as her shock lessened she noticed how unusually fragile and exhuasted Albus looked, how white his face was, almost as white as his hair, and he trembled so as he stood motionless and defeated. Minerva had never seen Albus looking so broken, so lost before - she couldn't help but feel a wave of tenderness for him wash over her, cleansing her of the sense of betrayal, hurt and anger. He had been wrong, but he was just a man, an imperfect man who made mistakes - did she really want a hero ? Or would she rather have this man who radiated guilt and sorrow for having hurt her, a man who had loved her tenderly and gently for so many years, who could turn her tears to laughter with a soft touch or a twinkle of his eyes. Minerva knew that she could forgive him his errors, now it was just a case of could she trust him again.
"You will never keep a secret from me ever again ? You will not lie to me or deceive me ever again ? Minerva's words were both a command and a question.
Slowly Albus lifted his eyes to her's, scarcely daring to hope, to believe that she might forgive him.
"You would forgive me even after what I have done ?" Albus' voice shook, and tears started to fall from his eyes, streaming down his cheeks.
Minerva's emerald eyes still held a hint of fierceness, but they were also tender, as she reached out a hand and brushed the tears from his face, her fingers hovering for a second at the edge of the red bruise on his cheek, pain and something unfathomable in her eyes.
"I have already forgiven you. Now what I want to know is can I trust you ? Because if I can't ..." Minerva answered, a hint of a tremble in her voice as she left the last words unspoken.
There was no need for Minerva to say more, Albus knew what she meant. That she should have to ask him this, when she had always trusted him unquestioningly before, showed him fully how wrong he had been. More deeply ashamed than ever of his lies, it took all Albus' willpower to force himself to lift his head, look into her eyes and answer in a voice that shook, "You can trust me Minerva, I swear it. I know it must be difficult for you to believe anything that I say after what I have done, my deceit, my lies ..." Albus took a deep breath, then in a voice that was close to breaking continued, "I had already realised how wrong I was, today before I went to check on Harry I came to your rooms - I was going to confess, tell you the full truth and beg your forgiveness for my lies. But you were sleeping, and I couldn't bring myself to wake you when you looked so tired, so I left you sleeping and went to the Dursleys. Immediately I returned I was going to come to you and tell you the truth. I swear this is the truth, you can trust me, there will be no more secrets between us ever, I swear it." Albus finished, his voice and face full of desperation.
Minerva could see the sincerity in Albus' eyes, but still she hesitated unsure, unconsciously her hand moved to her shoulder, stroked the tartan shawl that still hung there, "You put this around me while I slept ..." Minerva whispered, her eyes boring into his, as though searching for something.
"Yes my darling, yes ..." Albus answered, how could he convince her ? Oh what a fool he had been, if he lost her because of this he would never forgive himself.
"I dreamed that you kissed me ..." Minerva said softly, still holding him in her intent gaze.
Albus took Minerva's hands tenderly in his, his eyes never leaving her's as he answered gently, "I did kiss you my darling, then I watched you sleep ...you were so peaceful ...You make me complete my love, without you everything is meaningless, if I have lost you then I will never forgive myself."
"I felt you there ...in my sleep I felt you there ..." Minerva murmured as though to herself. So he was speaking the truth about this, but could she trust him never to lie again ?
Albus saw the doubt that had grown in her eyes, terrified and desperate he pleaded, "Minerva please trust me ... believe me please ...think of all our years together, have I ever lied to you or deceived you before now, and I will never do so again. I know how wrong I was ...can't you see this in my eyes ? I will always be ashamed of how I lied to you, that and my love for you will ensure that I never deceive you again. Do you not see this in my eyes ?"
Minerva's gaze grew even more intent as she searched his eyes, looking for the answer she hoped to find. Mirrored in those eyes that were so devoid of their normal twinkle, so pained and full of guilt, she saw so many emotions - shame, terror, love, sorrow, and above all sincerity. Minerva breathed a sigh of relief, so the man she'd known and trusted for so long was back, and after all he had acted out of love, he'd been mistaken, wrong, but he'd lied to protect her and she could see what it had cost him written in his face. It was those lines of shame and sorrow etched into Albus' pale cheeks, that convinced her more than anything that she could trust Albus never to deceive her again.
Albus felt Minerva's gaze soften, heard her soft release of breath, and knew that she was his once more. Exhuasted and relieved he rested his head against her's, and whispered softly, "I do not deserve you."
Albus' words, the pain in his voice, wrenched at Minerva's heart, and instinctively her lips moved to caress the mark her hand had left. She shouldn't have done it, shouldn't have hit him like that, now she tried to heal it with her kisses, as salt tears fell from her eyes. Albus winced as the salt stang his face, then took the hand that had struck him, kissed it tenderly, and smiling into her eyes said softly "I deserved it my darling, you were quite correct to be so angry, all that matters is that I haven't lost you, that I still have your love."
"You will always have my love." Minerva whispered as her lips grazed his mouth lightly, and she drew him closer to her.
"Oh my love." Albus murmured, as his lips sought her's, and made them his. When that first long kiss was over, they clung together, arms locked around each other, raven and silver hair intermingling as their faces rested against each other. Untill Albus broke the soft loving silence that was between them, "I am so sorry Minerva ...so very very sorry for everything ...I have been so foolish, so wrong ...I've caused you such pain ..." He whisped in broken tones.
Minerva eased her body gently away from Albus, so that she could see into his sorrowful blue eyes, "Albus listen to me ..." Minerva said firmly, "We both needed this in a way, most people don't have relationships so perfect as ours was, this has made us stronger. We have survived this, now we know that we can survive anything with our love intact. Now let's go home and be a family with Harry."
Albus gazed adoringly into Minerva's intense green eyes, as he thought how lucky he was, that she should still love him so much after everything he had done was a miracle for him, "Not only are you beautifull my darling, you are incredibly wise ..." He said tenderly.
A delicate flush crept over Minerva's face, like the dawn blush that touches the petals of a pale rose, "Absolute nonsense Albus, we both know you are the wise one." She snapped.
A spasm of sadness flashed across Albus' face, and his head dropped as though heavy with shame, so quietly she could hardly hear him, he muttered, "How can you say that when I have been so very foolish ?"
Minerva's hand brushed the hair from his face, so that her lips could caress his cheek, Albus could feel her warm breath against his skin as she said softly,"I have forgiven you for your mistakes, now it is time for you to forgive yourself Albus."
Slowly Albus lifted his gaze from the floor, the characteristic twinkle just begining to sparkle in his eyes once more, "As I said my darling, you are incredibly wise ..." He whispered, then seemed to loose himself in sorrow again, as he added "And forgiving ...I do not deserve you ...that you would trust me with your boy after what I have done ..."
Tears misted Minerva's eyes as she heard the pain in Albus' voice, was it such a short time ago that she had wanted to wound him ? In an unusual gesture for her, she cupped his face in her hands, and said softly, "Albus you will be a wonderful grandfather to Harry, I am certain of it, you will treasure and adore him, and doubtless spoil him - just as you always have done. I could not think of anyone I would trust more with Harry, and he is our boy now, not mine."
Albus' head dropped to rest against Minerva's shoulder, as she folded him in her arms, and tears fell down both their faces. Neither one knew how long they stood like that, their tears mingling together as they clung to each other and healed their wounds. Soon it would be time to return and be a family, but this time was for them, their time of healing and forgiveness, a time to rediscover their love.
Immediately that Albus and Minerva returned to Hogwarts, they went to see Harry, who was still being cared for by Poppy. A smiling Poppy opened the door of her private rooms, gave Minerva a quick hug, then beat a tactful retreat so they could enjoy their reunion alone. Harry was fast asleep in a red and gold cot, decorated with tiny phoenixes and cats that Poppy had persuaded Rolanda to help transfigure for him.
As soon as Minerva saw Harry curled up asleep in his cot she let out a small cry, instantly Harry awoke and opening his baby eyes beamed up at her joyously. "Granma Minmin ...Granma Minmin ..." He cooed, holding his tiny arms out to her. In a split second Minerva was across the room and had gathered her boy in her arms, tears of joy flowed unchecked down Minerva's face as she held Harry closely to her, alternately stroking his hair and rocking him in a gentle instinctive maternal rhythym. Harry snuggled as deep into his Granma Minmin as he could get, baby face nuzzling against her as he wrapped his arms around her neck, and clung to her blissfully. "Granma Minmin ...Granma Minmin ..." Harry cooed, his baby breath milky warm against Minerva's face.
"Oh my baby ...my Harry ..." Was all Minerva could say, as she kissed her grandson tenderly, gazing at him as though he was the most precious thing in the world to her.
Albus stood by the door watching, his blue eyes twinkling like stars, as tears streamed down his face and he beamed merrily to see the two people he loved most so happy. Suddenly Minerva's emerald eyes were smiling into his as she held her arms out to him, beckoning him to join their hug. Albus needed no further invitation, and stepped forward into Minerva's arms, folding her and Harry in a warm loving embrace. Minerva's head rested softly on Albus' shoulder, his arm was wrapped tenderly round her waist, and between them Harry was safely cradled in their arms.
"Granpa Alby ...Granma Minmin ..." Harry gurgled over and over again, his intense green eyes beaming up at them blissfully, as he wrapped one arm round each of their necks and held on tight.
"Yes Harry, Granpa Alby and Granma Minmin ..." Albus said softly, "We're going to be a family now ...you're safe now."
Minerva smiled up at Albus looking happier than Albus had seen her look for a long while, just as Minerva reached up to kiss Albus, a wet soggy baby kiss was planted on the end of Albus' crooked nose by Harry, and both of them dissolved into gales of laughter, while Harry giggled and kissed each of them in turn.
Much later that night Albus and Minerva sat together, watching Harry sleep close by in his cot. The warm glow of the fire lit the room with a soft light as they rested joyfully in each other's embrace, both of them feeling that they never wanted to leave the other's arms again. Glancing up at Albus, Minerva noticed how his head was slightly bowed, thought she saw a flicker of something sad in his eyes that was instantly hidden when he noticed her gaze upon him. Minerva placed her hand tenderly under Albus' chin and tilted his head to face hers, "Albus what is it ...what's wrong ?" She asked, half certain she knew the answer already.
Albus sighed softly before answering her quietly, "I was thinking about my numerous mistakes ...all the pain I have caused you."
Even in the dim glow of the dying embers of the fire, Minerva could clearly see the guilt and sorrow in Albus' eyes, closing her hand firmly around his, Minerva said firmly, "That is all in the past. Albus, I have you and I have Harry, I am the happiest woman alive."
The emerald light that shone like jewells from Minerva's eyes, and the tender caress of her lips on his as she kissed him, let Albus know that she meant her words. His eyes brightened, like sun after rain, sparkling with adoration and merriment, "And I am the happiest man alive my love." Albus whisped, then smiling into her eyes, kissed Minerva softly and passionately.
The End (apart from the Epilogue.)
Author's Notes
First don't forget to read the epilogue, which will be published in the next few days. :)
Thanks to everyone who reviews you're all amazing, and your reviews have helped me tremendously in completeing this story - something I sometimes doubted I could do. They also helped to influence the direction of the story, as did Minerva - who took my story by the scruff of the neck, shook it, and made it her's. :) Originally my intent was for the story to stick quite close to canon, and for Harry to remain with the Dursleys - with Albus remaining unaware of his ill treatment there, but I began to have doubts about that myself, and then some of you wonderful reviewers started to influence me and after thinking about it for a while I realised that you were right and Harry should be rescued. :) So my story has turned out vastly different than my original plan, and I'm very happy about that, *grins*.
I hope you'll all enjoy the epilogue.
I have plans for two more stories, one suggested by Mania4ka, which will be started in the new year. First one, called Albus and Minerva, The Early Years, is a mostly lighthearted look at Minerva's school years, and how her relationship with Albus developes, (poor Albus won't know what hit him lol, ) It will also follow the rest of their relationship after Minerva graduates, how a student teacher relationship becomes friendship and then ...love maybe. I hasten to add that nothing happens while she's still at school. First chapters will be published in January 2009.
The second is darker and more serious, and is called Quest of the Lioness, initially it'll be very Minerva centric, and starts six months after the end of HBP. Though Minerva puts on a brave face, she grieves every day over Albus, full of regrets that she never admitted her love for him. One day she finds a way to travel beyond the veil, and try to bring him back, if she fails then she risks her life, maybe even her soul. Story still in planning stage, first chapters in a couple of months.
More details on both in my profile.