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Beware-If flames are sent our floo powder is ready.

~~No Longer Safe~~

Christmas was only a few weeks away and Albus was hoping to propose to Minerva on its' eve. They had both decided to stay at Hogwarts during the holiday and spend it together. Minerva's family would stop by for a short visit and Albus was a little nervous at meeting them. He hoped the good stories about him would outweigh the bad from previous years. He moved the ring to a safe place and went into his room to retire for the night.

The days and weeks leading up to the Christmas holidays were exceptionally challenging for both professors and the students as well. However, excitement filled the air as the Hogwarts Express pulled away from the station with the majority of the students. Albus had been lucky in that none of his Gryffindors had remained this season and since Minerva wasn't the head of a house, they would be completely free to spend every waking moment together…or so Albus thought. He had planned to take Minerva shopping with him but she had other ideas.

"Albus, please try to understand. There are certain things that I need to buy and you can't be with me when I purchase them. Otherwise, it won't be a secret or a surprise." Wrapping her arms around his waist, she snuggled closely to him and rested her cheek against his back. "You know I love you and would enjoy your company but I cannot purchase items for you if you're with me all the time. Besides, there's something special I want to get and that must remain a complete surprise, at least for now."

Turning in her arms to face the beautifully persuasive witch, he gave her a mock pout and then bent down to gently kiss her lips. "Well, if you are sure that you love me and do not want me around, I suppose I must stay here and miss you while you are gone. How long will you be…days, weeks?" Pressing a seductively sweet kiss to his neck, she assured him that it would be mere hours until her return and on Christmas Day, he would be ever so glad he had waited. Promising to be back in time to share a candlelit dinner in his quarters, Minerva kissed him once more then exited his office as she headed to Hogsmeade.

This time of year in the little wizarding village made everything seem even more magical than it already was. Snow on the ground, lights in the windows, the laughter of children, and the wonderful smells all reminded Minerva of the many reasons why she loved this time of year. And this holiday season was even more special because for the first time in her life, she was truly happy, she felt complete with Albus. That's why she had decided to buy something extra special for him since it was their first Christmas as a couple. Although if truths were told, she would get as much pleasure from the gift as he would…especially in the unwrapping.

Minerva could not remember a time when she had blushed so much at something so important or so simple. As she browsed through the silky items, she tried to imagine what Albus would think and what he would prefer. Finally, after several minutes of indecision, she spied the perfect one and immediately added it to her collection of boxes and bags. She hoped Albus would love the item as much as she did. Although, given the current status of their relationship, she could not conceive of him disapproving.

Heavily laden with packages, Minerva found it difficult to navigate the halls of Hogwarts without being seen by Albus. She desperately wanted to get to her chambers to wrap the gifts, one in particular, without having to keep him away from the bulging bags and boxes. Some of the presents were for her family and friends, but the majority of them were small items she had purchased for Albus. Her master plan was to have them appear on his bed on Christmas morning, as Father Christmas would have done, and then present him with the special gift later in the evening. An impish smile appeared as she thought ahead to that special night.

Albus had been bored all day without Minerva to keep him company. His paperwork had been finished hours earlier and now he was left with preparing a meal for the two of them to share. He hadn't told Minerva but he had wanted to take her shopping with him in London but she had insisted on going to Hogsmeade without him. After playing the role of a disappointed man, he waited until she had gone before heading off on his own shopping spree. Since he already knew what he intended to buy, his little venture did not take long at all and he was back at Hogwarts in less than two hours time. The rest of the day he had spent wrapping packages and making the necessary arrangements for the remainder of their evening. He wanted to treat Minerva to a wonderful evening and he was certain that she would love his idea.

A knock at Minerva's chamber door caused her to jump. She was supposed to meet Albus in his rooms for dinner so she was pleasantly surprised to find him standing in her doorway clutching a heavy over-robe in a beautiful shade of green. "Here, my dear. I fear you will need this before we return tonight." Wrapping her tightly in the soft material, he cast a warming spell on her cloak as well as his own and led her up several stories to the highest point of the castle. "You may open your eyes now, love."

The scene before her was like a muggle fairytale or dream. Albus had transfigured several pieces of furniture into a lovely table and two chairs. The table was adorned with a sumptuous meal, each dish carefully chosen by Albus. Flowers graced the surrounding area, as did dozens of candles. The moon and stars even looked enchanted for the evening. The blanket of midnight blue above them seemed to sparkle with millions of tiny diamonds and the large full moon gave off a romantic glow for the couple. Sweeping Minerva into his arms, music began to play softly in the background as they danced to the hypnotic tune. After dancing and dinner, Albus led Minerva to a bench and they snuggled closely together under a blanket while gazing at the stars.

Minutes passed in silence as he held her and she burrowed even closer to his body in an attempt to feel the warmth and love emanating from him. "Albus, I don't think I've ever been this happy with anyone. You make me feel so alive, so young, so, well, so beautiful. Thank you!" Tilting her head back to look at his profile, his lips found hers and the warming sensation traveled through her entire body. Deciding that they did not want to spend the holidays in the hospital wing with colds, they descended the stairs and after another long goodnight, they parted ways and made feeble attempts at sleep.

Both realized it was becoming increasingly harder to separate at the end of the day and when they finally did, it was hours before sleep would come. Minerva drifted off to sleep with images of the special gift she had purchased for Albus, including his potential reaction, floating around in her head. Her last thought was that Christmas Day would not arrive soon enough for her.

Once again, Albus tossed and tumbled in his large bed trying to sleep. Some nights it was an easier task than others. He noticed that on the nights when he spent time with Minerva, he had the worst time falling asleep. He knew that once they were married and he could hold her in his arms, sleep would not be such a stranger. Smiling a bit to himself he realized that once they were married he would be free to shower his beloved with affection and in reality, he would probably get even less sleep. Picturing her face in his mind, he drifted away into slumber and dreamed of the day when he could call her his own.

Albus sat straight up in bed. His heart was racing and a foreboding feeling was spreading through his system. Looking at the complicated clock on his bedside table, he realized that it was still a couple of hours until breakfast. As his heart slowed, he wondered what kind of nightmare had woken him from sleep. But the apprehensive feeling did not pass and he began to wonder if it was indeed a dream that had disturbed him. Rising from his bed, he took his favorite robe and put it on. He walked to his sitting room, making sure to check all the dark corners. He felt a little foolish but instinctively he knew something was very wrong.

Albus crossed to the window and looked out over the grounds. Everything was silent in the predawn light. His thoughts spread to Minerva as he looked across the beautiful landscape. It was then that he realized his concern was for her. Ever since they had visited the secret glen, he had developed a connection to her. He was able to sense her moods and feelings with greater clarity than before. Since she was an early riser, he decided to use the floo network to contact her just to ease his own mind. He tossed the fine powder into the fire and stuck his head through. Minerva's sitting room looked as if a small cyclone had hit. Wrapping paper and ribbon were spread all over the floor and packages, both finished and waiting to be decorated, were scattered everywhere.

 "Minerva, are you awake?" Not receiving an answer, he decided to pay a visit. He withdrew his head and with the help of more floo powder stepped into her room through the fireplace. The door that led to her bedroom and bath was open and he searched the rest of her rooms. She was nowhere to be found and panic started to set in. He knew Minerva and she would never leave such a mess lying around. He raced through the halls to check her classroom and office. He could not locate her anywhere and he finally made his way to the Headmaster's rooms. Armando might know something he did not in regards to her whereabouts or would take him seriously when he voiced his worst fears.

Headmaster Dippet answered the door in his robe and with a look of irritation on his face.  He was not an early riser and nothing short of an emergency was required to get him up. After taking one look at Albus and the state he was in, his mind cleared of all the cobwebs still clouding his thoughts. "Albus, what ever is wrong? Has something happened to one of the students?" Ushering Albus inside, he closed the door.

"Minerva is missing. She is not in her rooms or in her office. I have a feeling something terrible has happened." Albus was pacing the floor and his face was contorted with worry. He had not expected to start the conversation in this way but his emotions had taken over.

Armando was about to become irritated once more but he decided to hear Albus' story then decide for himself if Minerva was indeed missing. More than likely they had had a lover's spat and Albus was not sure how to handle it. "Albus, how do you know something happened to Minerva? She could have just gone for a walk. Please calm down and have a seat."

As Albus was led to a seat, he related the events of the morning, trying to keep a calmer façade for Armando's sake. The Headmaster trusted Albus' instincts but he couldn't help but think he was overreacting. He conjured a fire to cut through the morning chill and tried to think of a quick solution.  "Let me get the map of Hogwarts. It will tell us what we need to know." With a flick of his wand and a muttered incantation one of the bookcases revealed a hidden compartment and an old looking roll of parchment flew through the air and stopped between the two men. Headmaster Dippet opened the map and laid it on the table between them. It was completely blank and Albus looked sharply at the man across from him.

"Are you sure this is the right map, Armando?"

The Headmaster chuckled and stood. He took his wand and pointing it at the map started to swirl it in circles while repeating the motto for the school. "Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus." A thick mist appeared covering the map and as it parted a striking replica of the school and grounds appeared to rise off of the paper. "It is actually quite handy to have around."

Albus was amazed. It was a beautiful piece of work. Everything looked so real. Even the leaves on the trees could be seen fluttering in the wind. Armando again held his wand over the map and spoke Minerva's name. Nothing happened and he tried again. "It looks as if you are right, Albus. She is not on the grounds. But just to be sure let's check one thing. Albus Dumbledore." Suddenly the map moved and the castle became larger until Albus could see himself sitting across from Armando. It was a bizarre thing to be watching. It was much like looking in a mirror but from a greater distance. They were only the size of large insects but they were very distinct.

Armando closed the map and sent it back to its' hiding place. "Well, I really don't know what to tell you. Minerva could have left without informing me but that would be very unlikely. When was the last time you saw her?"

Albus' fear seemed to come back with greater intensity. Obviously she was not in the castle or on the grounds and surely she would not have left without telling either him or at the very least Armando. Then a thought came unbidden into his mind…not of her own free will. And that idea terrified him more than anything. "I spoke with her last night. She was headed directly to her rooms. She didn't mention going anywhere and by the state of her sitting area, I would say her departure wasn't planned."

A look of shock flitted across Armando's face and he quickly hid it. "Albus, I hope you are not suggesting what I think you are?"

Before Albus had a chance to answer, Fawkes appeared mid-air. Landing on the arm of Albus' chair, he dropped a roll of parchment from his mouth and caught it with one of his talons. Albus took the letter and quickly unrolled it and read the contents. The look on his face became very grave. "Armando, I am afraid I was correct in my assumption. Minerva has been kidnapped."

To Be Continued…

A/N: To truly appreciate the good times, a few bad moments must enter our lives. Unfortunately, for our happy couple, their bad moments have just begun. Who has kidnapped Minerva and how will this affect her relationship with Albus? And what was the 'special gift' she purchased for him in Hogsmeade? Chapter 11 may answer some questions but only time will tell…

Thanks again to every one of our dedicated reviewers. We appreciate your feedback and we sincerely hope that you're enjoying our story and will stick with us to the end. We will try to have the next chapter uploaded in a few days…just hang in there…