So sorry for abandoning you, dear readers. My Advanced Physics project has just eaten all of my time over the past few days.

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"I am sorry to abandon you, Albus." Minerva stood by her lover as Pernelle tactfully engaged her father in conversation. He stroked the side of her face, soothed as she leaned into his touch.

"Don't be. This is something you have to do- besides, I'll see you on Thursday for dinner." Minerva stood on tip toes and brushed her lips against his. Her emerald eyes radiated more happiness than Albus had seen since the war became more severe. "I love you."

"And I love you." Minerva pulled him towards her father.

"Albus, I'll see you on Thursday." Murdoch shook his hand before turning to the Flamels. "Thank you for caring for my daughter." The McGonagalls departed, leaving Albus to enjoy a quiet four days until he would be reunited with his love. He missed Minerva a little already.

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The next few days were a great deal of fun for both Murdoch and his daughter. Instead of practically ignoring her save for meal times, as was his usual practice, Murdoch spent time with Minerva reading, horse riding, playing chess and discussing her likes and dislikes. He learned a great deal about her and was surprised that she had come to enjoy quidditch, her favourite meals were generally pasta dishes as opposed to the baked potatoes she had previously favoured and that white hot chocolate had replaced tea as her winter beverage of choice. They had also broken a time honoured taboo of not mentioning Helen McGonagall. Murdoch told his only child about how he had sent her mother flowers anonymously every day for three months until she had approached him and invited him out for dinner after work. Apparently it had been completely secret- that is to say everyone had known, exactly who had sent the bouquets of narcissi.

It had taken him considerable effort, but Murdoch even managed to ask Minerva about Albus. Despite the feeling of disquiet it had been worth it to see her smile, as carefree as any girl of seventeen's should be. Shyly she had placed the book on her lap and told him about how they often played chess. After seeing her girlish blush Murdoch couldn't find it inside himself to resent the man making his Minerva so happy. That did not mean that he was at all looking forward to Albus Dumbledore's impending visit in the evening. Minerva had been upstairs getting ready for three quarters of an hour now. Walking by her room he could smell a faint hint of her lavender perfume and even hear her singing along to the radio. Well, Minerva wouldn't put him to shame. After the last time Albus Dumbledore had visited the house Murdoch was determined to look appropriate for a man of his standing.

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Minerva climbed down the stairs with relative ease. She had decided on her flowing lilac robes with the silver stitching- less constricting than the green robes she had tried, and more comfortable than the blue. In her ears she had the earrings Albus had given her, and around her neck was a little pink quartz on a leather thong she had purchased in Hogsmeade. She fixed her braid in the mirror covering the wall of the hallway before entering the casual lounge. Internally she giggled, seeing that her father had made an effort in his stately grey robes usually reserved for functions at the Ministry. The green pattern brought out the shade of his eyes. Her eyes, too, for that matter. Murdoch had his back to her, his salt and pepper hair a little more salt than she had recalled from the summer. He was holding a small glass of the aqua vitae of the Scots.

"Drink, Minerva?" he correctly anticipated her answer, and handed Minerva a crystal glass.

"Cheers." She clinked her glass against her father's before sipping.

"You look very pretty, Min. What time is Albus going to arrive at?" Minerva slipped an arm around her remaining parent, realising what it cost him to ask such a question.

"Not for another five minutes. He's always punctual."

"And you're always eager to extol his virtues." Murdoch teased her. Minerva swatted his arm giving a half joking, half serious answer.

"And there are so many to highlight." Both of them felt the wards ripple as Albus Dumbledore's magical signal became stronger, indicating his approach. "I'll get the door." Minerva placed her near empty glass back on to the table before practically running to greet her lover. She had missed Albus dreadfully.

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More rapidly than even his own usual strong gait, Albus Dumbledore approached the McGonagall family home. He could feel the beautiful pocket watch Minerva had given him days before nestled safely inside the inner pocket of his waist coat. He had read the inscription every day, and in her absence it had pleased him to think of Minerva loving him at that particular second, and the following, and the following... and she was quite possibly behind any one of the hundred windows visible from this particular point. Knowing Minerva, she had probably spent her days curled up in front of the fire with a good book in her had, spending an interval of time each day skating on the large pond she had told him about that was obscured by the hill.

Climbing the stone stairway with care, Albus finally reached the imposing mahogany doorway that provided the main entrance to the mansion. Just as he reached out to grasp the bronze knocking loop falling from the open mouth of a lion, the door opened.

"Minerva!" She looked resplendent as she stepped into Albus' outstretched arm. As he inhaled the gentle wave of lavender, things returned to their natural state in his mind. Grasping his chilled hands, Minerva led him into the hall before planting a chaste kiss on the corner of his mouth. Before moving away she whispered to him.

"I doubt that Father feels inclined to grant us a blessing, but he has made an effort to ask about you in a casual manner." Albus didn't have time to respond as is hostess led him into the parlour. The lounge, upholstered in tasteful greens, the family tartan and mahogany was typically reserved for prestigious guests. He was caught between being pleased to be thought of highly and concern at the formal reception. As he was about to sit, Albus caught sight of Minerva's father. Murdoch slid a book back into the correct place on one of the many shelves before turning to greet him by extending a hand.

"Albus, we are glad that you could make it." He returned the handshake and responded, conscious of Minerva watching them like a hawk.

"It is a pleasure, and a great honour to have been invited." Pleased by this response, Murdoch nodded and sat, leaving Albus feeling as though he had passed some kind of test. A test on what he could not begin to fathom. Aware that he was being watched by two inquisitive pairs of emerald eyes he sat down. To his surprise and Minerva's judging by the raised eyebrows, Murdoch broke the silence. He answered several questions about his apprenticeship with Nicholas, work as a teacher, and when Minerva's father asked about previous girlfriends she broke in. Albus hadn't realised that he was so nervous until Murdoch's attention had been diverted.

"We invited Albus for dinner, not an interrogation."

"Quite. Forgive me Albus." He stood to pour drinks. "You'll take whisky." Albus had never liked the burning amber liquid, but found himself nodding. When Murdoch turned to find the decanter, Minerva mouthed 'What on earth are you doing?' to which there was no obvious response. He didn't feel that it was permissible to sleep with the Scotsman's daughter and be so thoroughly English in his drink of choice. Minerva shook her head at him when Murdoch handed him a crystal tumbler, smirking as she sipped her own drink with practiced ease. Albus knew that the whisky he was drinking was most likely matured to perfection, the ambrosia of the cultivated drinker, but he struggled not to splutter after forcing himself to swallow. Vile.

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Watching Albus try not to wince as the near priceless whisky retained from her grandfather's cellar pervaded his senses was highly amusing. It was as difficult for Minerva not to laugh as it was for Albus not to wrinkle his nose. Murdoch excused himself to check on the house elves' progress with their dinner. After listening to his footsteps fade, Minerva moved across to the sofa and finished the remainder of Albus' drink.

"My poor Albus. You really do care about having Father's approval." She rested her head on his shoulder, brushing his beard gently.

"Well, yes. I love you, my little lush." Minerva gurgled with laughter, digging her elbow into his side.

"I love you too, if only because I can follow you around and drink your unwanted whisky." She toyed with his sleeve, watching Albus to shiver slightly as the tips of her fingers brushed his skin. It was so good to be back in his arms again. Enjoying the feel of Albus beside her and the thrum of alcohol warming her blood, Minerva was quite content. She decided against moving back to her original seat as Murdoch's footsteps indicated his return. Albus turned to give her a questioning look, to which she shrugged. To his credit, Murdoch did not falter as he returned.

"Dinner is ready."

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The meal was gorgeous; a homely starter of warm bread, mozzarella cheese, tomato. This was followed by the tenderest veal Albus had ever tasted, with an assortment of cakes for dessert. Murdoch took the opportunity to ask about Minerva's apprenticeship. Her smile faltered as he answered that no she hadn't successfully transformed into a cat but that it was only a matter of time. Murdoch was quite astonished by Minerva's progress.

"That's excellent, Min. You told me that you were progressing quickly but I wouldn't have imagined that..." He paused mid sentence, stroking his goatee thoughtfully. "You must be exactly the teacher Minerva makes you out to be. Try the pecan pie." Albus was too shocked to answer. Helpfully, Minerva placed a slice on his plate. He knew himself to be a competent teacher, but no doubt she had praised him too highly.

The candles burned increasingly lower, signifying that quite some time had passed. Food eaten and an abundance of surprisingly warm conversation, Albus felt that it was time to return to Hogwarts. Murdoch had been cordial, more so than Albus had expected, and Minerva seemed quite delighted. It had been a good evening.

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Again, sorry for the delay. Please review.