The pair went to see Dumbledore immediately after coming to an agreement, and Severus insisted on bringing the sleeping baby. Considering that school was still in session; the fourth years were without their Potions Master and the sixth years were still waiting for their transfiguration Professor to return; they met with no one, and were lucky to find the headmaster in his office. He had kept a straight face when Severus and Minerva walked in with a child in her arms, but even Albus Dumbledore, a man who would have made millions as a poker player, couldn't hide his surprise when he found out exactly who that baby was. He sighed heavily not knowing what to say. Minerva had remained silent throughout the whole thing, her face buried in her daughter's hair. It disturbed him to see her that way. Minerva was a strong woman. But now, she just looked broken. And Severus had an empty look in his eyes, to match his empty tone when he explained.
"Minerva, you shouldn't have kept this a secret," he said softly to his deputy. She lifted her head from the infant's hair.
"I didn't. Poppy knows... and the troublesome trio," she added, in a weak effort to make a joke. Severus turned to her.
"They know?" he asked
"You could tell them, but you couldn't tell me! The father!"
"Severus calm down!" said Dumbledore, raising his voice slightly. Severus continued to glare at Minerva, which she ignored.
"They saw me with her, and asked. I didn't deny it. I'm not ashamed of her Albus, I'm just ashamed of what I did," explained Minerva. Albus nodded in understanding. She was never one to make a mistake and not admit it.
"And have they told anybody else?" he asked. Severus blushed here.
"No, they kept their word to me. It was Mr. Father of the year here that made it public, barging into my sixth year class, demanding to see his daughter," she said, looking daggers at him. It was his fault that every person in the school would be talking about them.
"And how was I suppose to react? Should I have thanked you instead?" he snapped.
"Does discretion mean anything to you?" she snapped back.
"I am the definition of discretion, for your information,"
"As much as you created the term barrel of fun!" she retorted. Albus let out an exasperated sigh and with a wave of his hand, the argument ended. Mainly because he had but a quietus spell on the two. Two pair of glaring eyes focused on him, and if he had been a lesser man, he would've cowered in the corner. Instead, he returned their fury full on.
"There is no point in pointing fingers. The deed has been done and she," he pointed to Athena, still sleeping,
"Is the result of your one night of pleasure."
The two wanted to argue with him, but no sound came out.
"I know you don't agree. It goes against all of your logic that you two should find such a thing in each other. But, if honestly asked, are you two really surprised you both went down that road?"
Minerva nodded vigorously but surprise, surprise, Severus remained motionless, his eyes averted to the scenery outside. Minerva looked incredulously at the back of his head. Then slowly, he shrugged.
"Minerva... look at me," said Albus, but Minerva wouldn't look away from Severus, mentally willing him to look at her so she could tear him to bits with her eyes.
"Minerva, look at me," Albus said, his tone stern, reluctantly she turned away from the Potions Master.
"Its no secret that you and Severus aren't exactly the best of friends, but I have seen couples get together for lesser reasons than the two of you, and both of you have as valid a reason as two people in love," said Albus. He watched Severus remain expressionless while confusion marred Minerva's expression.
"How can I make you understand? You are both strong willed characters. Never allowing a challenge to break your spirit, always fighting when others have given up hope. You two have built a fortress around your feelings, so to the outside world, it is as if you are incapable of it," said Albus. He stopped, his brain churning out words that would relay his message to his two stubborn peers.
"This... aloofness has created a bond between the two of you," this time Severus responded. He scowled his trademark scowl at the headmaster, and Minerva rolled her eyes. She and Severus, bonded? The old man had gone daft.
"I know, I know, it seems impossible, you two constantly bicker, and it is expected. How can two strong, opiniated people ever get along? But when confronted with a common enemy, it's usually the two strongest that will unite quickly." He continued. The two professors looked down, each stealing a glance at each other. They knew his words to be right. But he wasn't done.
"And when one is hurting, it is only natural the other give comfort, for who else could possibly understand both of you, but each other," he finished. He waved his hand again and the two found their voices again.
"Albus... comfort would be a pat on the back... a warm cup of cocoa and a shoulder to cry on..." said Minerva.
"Everyone finds comfort in different ways. As for you two, you found it in a night of uninhibited passion," he said, then wished he had rephrased his sentence. Minerva and Severus had turned beet red. To say they were blushing was an understatement.
"Albus..." began Minerva, but what could she say. In a way, he was right, as usual. Holding Athena closer to her chest, she gazed forlornly at Severus, who was staring off into space. Albus watched the two. He felt guilty for the words he had spoken. Not because they were false, but because in a world that was only just beginning to heal, a person needed to believe that he or she is in control. But his words, though truthful have shook the very foundations his two friends have spent years living and building on. Having said that, they needed to know the absolute truth or the matter. Forever is along time, and if they do not know now how much they mean to each other, later maybe too late.
"Minerva, Severus, will you accept the apologies of an old, eccentric man?" he said finally holding out his hands.
"What for?" asked Severus, his tone unusually soft.
"For not being there to offer you guidance. I realize that although the evil has gone, the darkness still lingers. I am sorry for not lighting your way, I have let you down," said the old man. Minerva and Severus looked at him. His normally jolly face etched with misery. It broke Minerva's heart to see him like this.
"No, Albus. No. There is nothing to forgive. I do not regret it at all. What Severus and I did... gave me Athena. Albus, I have no regrets," said Minerva quickly enfolding one of his hands in hers. She then turned to Severus.
"Severus, I know I may not be the perfect choice for a wife and mother, but..." she began but he quickly silenced her by placing a finger on her lips. He took Albus's other hand.
"No regrets remember?" he said, and turned to the headmaster.
"Albus, you have never let us down. Although Minerva and I cannot say the same about us, we wish to make it right. Will you conduct our wedding?" asked the tall man. Albus nodded in agreement and tightened his grip on the two, and a wave of warmth passed through the two younger professors. For a while, it seemed so right to spend eternity with each other. But then, Albus released their hands and the cold, cruel dagger of reality dug deeper into them.