5. Diagon Alley
A/N: This was an interesting chapter to write. I started the last scene first, and then realized I should at least write Minerva's reaction to the kiss. Thanks to Child-of-the-Dawn/Karuri for her help with that scene. I didn't like the immediate jump, so I added the middle scene, which just kept going and going. I hope you enjoy this chapter. It was kind of fun for me to write.
Albus held Minerva's gaze for a long moment before leaning forward and kissing her. It wasn't much of a kiss, to be honest. A light brush of his lips across hers and that was it. She stared up at him when he pulled back. "Are you saying what I think you're saying, Albus?"
He smiled, raising a long hand to cup her cheek. "That I'm in love with you, Minerva McGonagall? Yes."
"Oh, Albus!" She felt tears prick at the backs of her eyes and blinked furiously to banish them as she raised her hand to cover his. "I love you, too."
He gathered her to him in a close embrace, his arms tight around her. She wrapped her own arms around him, relishing the softness of his beard upon her cheek. "The human heart is an interesting organ, my dear."
"Why do you say that, Albus?" she asked, not moving from his arms, even when he began removing the pins from her bun.
He finished removing the pins and combed his fingers through her long tresses. "Well, we think it will never change, that we'll never love another, and it turns out that we do."
She pulled back and smiled, "Yes, very interesting."
"Indeed." He lowered his head to kiss her again, more thoroughly this time. She gave herself up to the kiss, having wanted it for a long time.
It was a long time before she spoke. "I feel right now that I could shout my love for you to the whole school." She rested her head on his shoulder.
He rested his head against hers. "I feel the same way, my dear, but it would not be wise to do so right now."
"Because everything is so uncertain," she conceded, wrapping her arms around his chest.
"Uncertain," he murmured, gently tilting her head back so he could look into her eyes. "There is one thing that will be certain..."
When his voice trailed off, she asked, "What would that be, Albus?"
He cupped her face between his hands. "I will always keep you safe." He lowered his head to kiss her softly.
She pulled away after a moment. "I refuse to be mollycoddled, though, Albus. Do not try to put me on a shelf behind glass. I do not break easily."
He looked hurt, but the twinkle in his blue eyes said otherwise. "Forgive me, my dear, but you," he ran the tip of one long finger along her jawline, "_do_ break. You are the only person I could count on and, now that I've made it clear how much I love you, I wish to keep you from harm."
"Albus," she pulled his hand from her face, "I understand the sentiment, but do not try to indulge your overprotective tendencies. I _will_ be fine. Please, trust me."
"I will love," he sighed, "I have always trusted you."
"Then trust me when I tell you that I will be fine," she looked up into his eyes.
He sighed again. "Very well. I will not try to protect you."
"Thank you, Albus."
"You're welcome, my dear." He lowered his head to kiss her once more.
* * *
Tracey opened the door of the flat when Albus rang the doorbell. "Father! Hi!"
"Hello, Tracey." Albus entered the flat and the door closed behind him--not before a sleek silver tabby managed to slip inside, however--as he scooped his daughter up into his arms for a hug. "How are you?"
"I'm great," Tracey replied, winding her arms around her father's neck. "Mom says we're going to Diagon Alley to get my stuff for school. So awesome!"
Albus chuckled as he set Tracey on her feet. "Ah, to be young again."
The child grinned and preceded him into the kitchen. "Mom! Father's here!"
"So I gathered," Sandra answered dryly from her seat at the table, where she was looking through a furniture catalogue. "Will you be joining us on our jaunt to Diagon Alley, Albus?"
He shook his head. "Unfortunately, no, Sandra. Minerva has agreed to join you, though."
"Professor McGonagall?" Tracey asked from where she'd seated herself beside her mother. Albus looked at his daughter and nodded, a smile twitching at his mustache. "Awesome!"
He chuckled. "You certainly love that word."
"Yes and I've been trying to get her to use a larger variety of words," Sandra inserted dryly as she stood up to make some tea.
Tracey's wide eyes were the picture of innocence. "Why should I use lots of different words when one works so well?"
Albus slid into the chair opposite his daughter. "You wouldn't want to be boring, would you?"
"Well, no," Tracey conceded, looking quite serious.
"A variety of words prevents you from being boring," he explained, folding his hands together on the tabletop.
"Oh." Tracey's eyes were wide as she considered his words.
As the tea steeped, Sandra studied Albus for a moment before looking at her daughter. "While you're pondering that, Tracey, why don't you go get Ryan?"
"Sure!" Tracey slipped from her chair and headed out of the kitchen.
Sandra set a cup of tea in front Albus and resumed her seat at the table with her own cup of tea. "So, where is Minerva anyway?"
Albus took a sip of the tea and frowned before conjuring up two lumps of sugar to plop into it. "She's here."
Sandra looked around. "Where? I don't see her."
"Right here." Albus snapped his fingers and the same silver tabby that had snuck into the flat jumped up onto his lap.
"Didn't you once tell me that some witches and wizards can turn into animals at will?" Sandra asked, her eyes on the feline, who was currently being stroked by Albus.
"They're called Animagi," Albus explained as the cat bumped his chin with her head. He chuckled. "Alright, Tabby, that's enough."
Sandra could only stare as the cat jumped down from Albus' lap and morphed into Minerva McGonagall, who was looking quite pleased, actually. "Wow."
"Professor McGonagall!" Tracey's voice interrupted the moment and the three adults turned to the kitchen doorway. Tracey stood there with Ryan right behind her. "I didn't know you were here already."
"Witches and wizards have unique methods of getting in and out of places, Miss Cooper," Minerva told the girl, her faint Scottish brogue softening her voice just enough to make it sound pleasant.
Albus chuckled as he stood to shake Ryan's hand. "Mr. Andrews, this is Minerva McGonagall. She's the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts and will be joining you, Sandra, and Tracey on your trip to Diagon Alley. Minerva, this is Ryan Andrews, Sandra's husband."
Ryan shook Minerva's hand. "Hello, Ms. McGonagall."
She held up her free hand. "Please, I prefer Professor."
Ryan nodded. "Yes, Professor." Sandra giggled and Ryan turned to his wife. "What's so funny?"
"You are," Sandra replied between giggles. "You sounded like a little boy who'd just been scolded by his teacher."
Minerva smiled slightly and gestured to the front door. "Shall we go?"
Tracey and Sandra followed Minerva, but Ryan stayed back with Albus for a moment. "I don't want to pry, but is she--"
"Yes, she is." Albus nodded. "You have your assurance now, Mr. Andrews."
* * *
"Oh, wow, this place is awesome," Tracey commented, blue eyes wide, bright, and twinkling.
Sandra chuckled, subtly looking around as well, having never been to Diagon Alley herself. "I'm glad you like it, Tracey."
The girl grinned, holding tightly to Sandra and Ryan's hands. "I wish we could live here."
"Well, I'm afraid that's not possible, Miss Cooper," Minerva inserted from where she walked beside Sandra. Albus had remained at the flat to watch Lynda and Jeffrey. "We need to visit Gringotts first so you can pay for everything."
Sandra, Ryan, and Tracey followed Minerva down the street. Slipping her hands out of Sandra and Ryan's, Tracey scurried ahead to catch up with the professor, unconsciously slipping her hand into Minerva's. "What kind of money do wizards use?"
Although the little girl's hand slipping into hers had startled Minerva, she didn't hesitate to explain about Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts. When she finished, the four of them had reached Gringotts. As they passed the goblins, Tracey pressed close to Minerva's side. Behind the two, Sandra pressed close to Ryan, who followed Minerva so closely he almost treaded on the hem of her emerald green robes a couple times. "What _are_ these things?"
"Goblins," Minerva answered quietly. "You would have to be out of your mind to try to steal anything from them."
After exchanging Muggle money for Wizarding money, they left the bank. Sandra breathed a sigh of relief. "Not that I mind or anything, but those goblins were pretty creepy."
"I know what you mean, Mom," Tracey replied, still holding tightly to Minerva's hand.
"Where would you like to go first?" Minerva asked the three, more to get their minds off the goblins than anything else.
"Wand!" Tracey exclaimed promptly, her face lighting up.
Sandra laughed, ruffling Tracey's hair. "Why don't we save the best for last?"
"What do you mean, Mom?" Tracey asked, her free hand slipping into her mother's.
"I mean, wait until we've bought the rest of your school things before we buy your wand for you," Sandra explained, glancing up at Minerva to share the older woman's amusement at the girl's excitement.
"Do I haveta?" Tracey asked, her voice developing a dangerous whine.
"Tracey," Sandra's voice took on a firm tone that Tracey rarely heard directed at her anymore, "would you like some cheese with that wine?"
Tracey looked down at the ground, properly chastised. "No, Mom."
Sandra squeezed her daughter's hand reassuringly. "Good. Now, where do you suggest we start, Professor?"
Minerva had watched the exchange between mother and daughter without comment, admiring the easy way Sandra handled her daughter, who could be rather stubborn and strong-willed at times. "Madam Malkin's Robes for all occasions is where most of the students get their school robes."
"Awesome!" Tracey exclaimed, perking right up. "Let's go!"
Minerva led them down the street to the appropriate shop and watched as the three of them went through the rest of the shops like a hurricane. They bought everything Tracey needed and picked up some extra things that weren't necessary, but were nice to have around. Finally, they reached the wand shop and Minerva excused herself to take care of something for Albus. When she returned, Tracey was clutching a long, paper-wrapped package, containing her wand. "10 inches professor! Ebony with a unicorn hair!"
"Miss Cooper, your father asked me to buy you something very special while I was here in Diagon Alley," Minerva told the girl when the four of them stopped at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor for ice cream.
"What is it?" Tracey asked, blue eyes wide with excitement and curiosity.
Minerva reached into the pocket of her robes and withdrew a small silver kitten. "He asked me to buy you a cat to keep you company at Hogwarts. This is Jestana."
"Oh, wow," Tracey breathed, carefully taking the kitten into her hands. "She's beautiful." Her eyes were shining when she looked up at Minerva. "Thank you so much."
"You're quite welcome, Miss Cooper," Minerva replied, smiling down at the girl.
Without warning, Tracey hugged the Transfiguration professor. After a moment of surprise, Minerva hugged the girl back.
A/N: This was an interesting chapter to write. I started the last scene first, and then realized I should at least write Minerva's reaction to the kiss. Thanks to Child-of-the-Dawn/Karuri for her help with that scene. I didn't like the immediate jump, so I added the middle scene, which just kept going and going. I hope you enjoy this chapter. It was kind of fun for me to write.
Albus held Minerva's gaze for a long moment before leaning forward and kissing her. It wasn't much of a kiss, to be honest. A light brush of his lips across hers and that was it. She stared up at him when he pulled back. "Are you saying what I think you're saying, Albus?"
He smiled, raising a long hand to cup her cheek. "That I'm in love with you, Minerva McGonagall? Yes."
"Oh, Albus!" She felt tears prick at the backs of her eyes and blinked furiously to banish them as she raised her hand to cover his. "I love you, too."
He gathered her to him in a close embrace, his arms tight around her. She wrapped her own arms around him, relishing the softness of his beard upon her cheek. "The human heart is an interesting organ, my dear."
"Why do you say that, Albus?" she asked, not moving from his arms, even when he began removing the pins from her bun.
He finished removing the pins and combed his fingers through her long tresses. "Well, we think it will never change, that we'll never love another, and it turns out that we do."
She pulled back and smiled, "Yes, very interesting."
"Indeed." He lowered his head to kiss her again, more thoroughly this time. She gave herself up to the kiss, having wanted it for a long time.
It was a long time before she spoke. "I feel right now that I could shout my love for you to the whole school." She rested her head on his shoulder.
He rested his head against hers. "I feel the same way, my dear, but it would not be wise to do so right now."
"Because everything is so uncertain," she conceded, wrapping her arms around his chest.
"Uncertain," he murmured, gently tilting her head back so he could look into her eyes. "There is one thing that will be certain..."
When his voice trailed off, she asked, "What would that be, Albus?"
He cupped her face between his hands. "I will always keep you safe." He lowered his head to kiss her softly.
She pulled away after a moment. "I refuse to be mollycoddled, though, Albus. Do not try to put me on a shelf behind glass. I do not break easily."
He looked hurt, but the twinkle in his blue eyes said otherwise. "Forgive me, my dear, but you," he ran the tip of one long finger along her jawline, "_do_ break. You are the only person I could count on and, now that I've made it clear how much I love you, I wish to keep you from harm."
"Albus," she pulled his hand from her face, "I understand the sentiment, but do not try to indulge your overprotective tendencies. I _will_ be fine. Please, trust me."
"I will love," he sighed, "I have always trusted you."
"Then trust me when I tell you that I will be fine," she looked up into his eyes.
He sighed again. "Very well. I will not try to protect you."
"Thank you, Albus."
"You're welcome, my dear." He lowered his head to kiss her once more.
* * *
Tracey opened the door of the flat when Albus rang the doorbell. "Father! Hi!"
"Hello, Tracey." Albus entered the flat and the door closed behind him--not before a sleek silver tabby managed to slip inside, however--as he scooped his daughter up into his arms for a hug. "How are you?"
"I'm great," Tracey replied, winding her arms around her father's neck. "Mom says we're going to Diagon Alley to get my stuff for school. So awesome!"
Albus chuckled as he set Tracey on her feet. "Ah, to be young again."
The child grinned and preceded him into the kitchen. "Mom! Father's here!"
"So I gathered," Sandra answered dryly from her seat at the table, where she was looking through a furniture catalogue. "Will you be joining us on our jaunt to Diagon Alley, Albus?"
He shook his head. "Unfortunately, no, Sandra. Minerva has agreed to join you, though."
"Professor McGonagall?" Tracey asked from where she'd seated herself beside her mother. Albus looked at his daughter and nodded, a smile twitching at his mustache. "Awesome!"
He chuckled. "You certainly love that word."
"Yes and I've been trying to get her to use a larger variety of words," Sandra inserted dryly as she stood up to make some tea.
Tracey's wide eyes were the picture of innocence. "Why should I use lots of different words when one works so well?"
Albus slid into the chair opposite his daughter. "You wouldn't want to be boring, would you?"
"Well, no," Tracey conceded, looking quite serious.
"A variety of words prevents you from being boring," he explained, folding his hands together on the tabletop.
"Oh." Tracey's eyes were wide as she considered his words.
As the tea steeped, Sandra studied Albus for a moment before looking at her daughter. "While you're pondering that, Tracey, why don't you go get Ryan?"
"Sure!" Tracey slipped from her chair and headed out of the kitchen.
Sandra set a cup of tea in front Albus and resumed her seat at the table with her own cup of tea. "So, where is Minerva anyway?"
Albus took a sip of the tea and frowned before conjuring up two lumps of sugar to plop into it. "She's here."
Sandra looked around. "Where? I don't see her."
"Right here." Albus snapped his fingers and the same silver tabby that had snuck into the flat jumped up onto his lap.
"Didn't you once tell me that some witches and wizards can turn into animals at will?" Sandra asked, her eyes on the feline, who was currently being stroked by Albus.
"They're called Animagi," Albus explained as the cat bumped his chin with her head. He chuckled. "Alright, Tabby, that's enough."
Sandra could only stare as the cat jumped down from Albus' lap and morphed into Minerva McGonagall, who was looking quite pleased, actually. "Wow."
"Professor McGonagall!" Tracey's voice interrupted the moment and the three adults turned to the kitchen doorway. Tracey stood there with Ryan right behind her. "I didn't know you were here already."
"Witches and wizards have unique methods of getting in and out of places, Miss Cooper," Minerva told the girl, her faint Scottish brogue softening her voice just enough to make it sound pleasant.
Albus chuckled as he stood to shake Ryan's hand. "Mr. Andrews, this is Minerva McGonagall. She's the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts and will be joining you, Sandra, and Tracey on your trip to Diagon Alley. Minerva, this is Ryan Andrews, Sandra's husband."
Ryan shook Minerva's hand. "Hello, Ms. McGonagall."
She held up her free hand. "Please, I prefer Professor."
Ryan nodded. "Yes, Professor." Sandra giggled and Ryan turned to his wife. "What's so funny?"
"You are," Sandra replied between giggles. "You sounded like a little boy who'd just been scolded by his teacher."
Minerva smiled slightly and gestured to the front door. "Shall we go?"
Tracey and Sandra followed Minerva, but Ryan stayed back with Albus for a moment. "I don't want to pry, but is she--"
"Yes, she is." Albus nodded. "You have your assurance now, Mr. Andrews."
* * *
"Oh, wow, this place is awesome," Tracey commented, blue eyes wide, bright, and twinkling.
Sandra chuckled, subtly looking around as well, having never been to Diagon Alley herself. "I'm glad you like it, Tracey."
The girl grinned, holding tightly to Sandra and Ryan's hands. "I wish we could live here."
"Well, I'm afraid that's not possible, Miss Cooper," Minerva inserted from where she walked beside Sandra. Albus had remained at the flat to watch Lynda and Jeffrey. "We need to visit Gringotts first so you can pay for everything."
Sandra, Ryan, and Tracey followed Minerva down the street. Slipping her hands out of Sandra and Ryan's, Tracey scurried ahead to catch up with the professor, unconsciously slipping her hand into Minerva's. "What kind of money do wizards use?"
Although the little girl's hand slipping into hers had startled Minerva, she didn't hesitate to explain about Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts. When she finished, the four of them had reached Gringotts. As they passed the goblins, Tracey pressed close to Minerva's side. Behind the two, Sandra pressed close to Ryan, who followed Minerva so closely he almost treaded on the hem of her emerald green robes a couple times. "What _are_ these things?"
"Goblins," Minerva answered quietly. "You would have to be out of your mind to try to steal anything from them."
After exchanging Muggle money for Wizarding money, they left the bank. Sandra breathed a sigh of relief. "Not that I mind or anything, but those goblins were pretty creepy."
"I know what you mean, Mom," Tracey replied, still holding tightly to Minerva's hand.
"Where would you like to go first?" Minerva asked the three, more to get their minds off the goblins than anything else.
"Wand!" Tracey exclaimed promptly, her face lighting up.
Sandra laughed, ruffling Tracey's hair. "Why don't we save the best for last?"
"What do you mean, Mom?" Tracey asked, her free hand slipping into her mother's.
"I mean, wait until we've bought the rest of your school things before we buy your wand for you," Sandra explained, glancing up at Minerva to share the older woman's amusement at the girl's excitement.
"Do I haveta?" Tracey asked, her voice developing a dangerous whine.
"Tracey," Sandra's voice took on a firm tone that Tracey rarely heard directed at her anymore, "would you like some cheese with that wine?"
Tracey looked down at the ground, properly chastised. "No, Mom."
Sandra squeezed her daughter's hand reassuringly. "Good. Now, where do you suggest we start, Professor?"
Minerva had watched the exchange between mother and daughter without comment, admiring the easy way Sandra handled her daughter, who could be rather stubborn and strong-willed at times. "Madam Malkin's Robes for all occasions is where most of the students get their school robes."
"Awesome!" Tracey exclaimed, perking right up. "Let's go!"
Minerva led them down the street to the appropriate shop and watched as the three of them went through the rest of the shops like a hurricane. They bought everything Tracey needed and picked up some extra things that weren't necessary, but were nice to have around. Finally, they reached the wand shop and Minerva excused herself to take care of something for Albus. When she returned, Tracey was clutching a long, paper-wrapped package, containing her wand. "10 inches professor! Ebony with a unicorn hair!"
"Miss Cooper, your father asked me to buy you something very special while I was here in Diagon Alley," Minerva told the girl when the four of them stopped at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor for ice cream.
"What is it?" Tracey asked, blue eyes wide with excitement and curiosity.
Minerva reached into the pocket of her robes and withdrew a small silver kitten. "He asked me to buy you a cat to keep you company at Hogwarts. This is Jestana."
"Oh, wow," Tracey breathed, carefully taking the kitten into her hands. "She's beautiful." Her eyes were shining when she looked up at Minerva. "Thank you so much."
"You're quite welcome, Miss Cooper," Minerva replied, smiling down at the girl.
Without warning, Tracey hugged the Transfiguration professor. After a moment of surprise, Minerva hugged the girl back.