OK, I said that I might've updated yesterday, but I obviously didn't because I was at the mall almost all day yesterday shopping for my "pageant" next week. Yea. Anyways, I won't list all of my reviewers, because I don't wanna take forever. And I warn you now: I am nervous and so my chapter might not be as good as the last! Thanx for reviewing, anyways!

Disclaimer: If it was mine, would I be here? I, however, do own Minerva's hiccups! What hiccups, you ask? READ AND FIND OUT!

Pairing: Albus/Minerva

Rating: Still PG-13 and I think you see why after the dream last time!!!

Summary: Minerva gets the hiccups and comes up with ways to torture Toad, whilst Albus comforts her crying. (Not that way, sicklings!)

Dedication: To my Joseph who will never, ever read this. Good luck on the black belt test!!!

LAST TIME: With a relieved yet frightened cry, Minerva fell into his arms again, and even in his sleep, Albus sensed her discomfort and awoke, only to be greeted by a terrifying dream....

Now, on with the story...

As Minerva related her vivid nightmare, Albus tried to cope with her second round of tears in one day. It was, he admitted to himself, very disturbing.

Sitting her up as she began to choke on her own salty tears. Holding her close and murmuring things like, "I'm here, Min, I'm here." over and over wasn't Albus' favorite way to spend a night with his wife, as they much rather talked about students, classes or other professors to help them drift off. (A/N: What were you thinking? Naughty minds, shame on you! ) That fact in mind, Albus realized what he could do to attempt to make it all better.

Once her tears had subsided a bit, all Minerva was left with were her memories and her hiccups. Albus patted her back comfortingly and then bent down. Feeling like he needed to reassure her of his realness (A/N: Is that a word?...Is now...), husband gently began to plant small kisses along her neck and jaw line.

Minerva had always like the taste of Albus' kisses but knew that this one was different. This kiss tasted of comfort, reassurances, unspoken love. It tasted of fear, of longing, and of desperation. It tasted of hope, of courage, of kindness. It tasted like Albus.

Pulling back slightly, Minerva looked up into his sky blue eyes, and noticed that they were void of their usual twinkle, but held a passion, and a longing, and a love that was reflected-she was sure of it-in her own green orbs.

Smiling softly, she blinked once, twice, and her eyes cleared of their endearing haziness. Surprised as he was at her sudden change in mood, Albus still managed to quickly roll over on the spacious couch, effectively pinning Minerva to the afore mentioned piece of furniture. Giving her a wicked grin, Minerva could only guess what her old coot was planning.

Whatever it was she was expecting, it was not to be scooped into the arms of a certain Headmaster and escorted to the bedchamber that was off of his office. However, that was exactly what happened, and Minerva had to admit that it didn't bother her in the least.

What did bother her though was her husband asking for any new information about the Toad or any of the Weasley Twins' new pranks. Sighing, she gave in with a bit of resignation and after much persuasion from Albus (A/N: I'll let you think what you will about that one! wink)and began to tell him about What had happened after he had "left" the night before...

After a few minutes, Minerva summed it all up with, "And tonight at dinner, I could hardly eat a thing because I was worried about who had sent the note to me at breakfast." Here Albus placed a light kiss on her neck, whilst murmuring an apology. "'Tis alright, love. It's better now. Anyways, Dolores noticed my unusual lack of appetite and she became 'sweet' and tried to comfort me by giving me some rather large fib on how she thinks that you were spotted in the Astronomy Tower last night with a certain Divination professor."

Here, Minerva shot her husband a 'look.' Her eyes boring into his, she asked, in a deathly quiet and calm voice, "So, my husband, were you up in the Astronomy Tower with the old bat? If Dolores lies I shall think up the most gruesome Transfiguration she could become and she shall suffer so greatly....But the question is, does she lie?"

Moments passed before Albus replied..."Well, dear..."

Heehee I am infinitely evil and shall not tell you what he says. Was Albus in the Tower with Sybil? Should Minerva kill the Toad? Will I be able to get out a good chapter five with the upcoming stress I am expecting? Stay tuned and see....

Much love, Kate

My dears: I have been trying for the past few days-unsuccessfully, I might add!-to upload this. And it won't work. So I am trying it a different way. This was actually written last Friday, but FF.N was being mean and so, uh, yea. Anyways, I was NOT ignoring you guys, and anyone who read my reviews area recently would have gotten that-I posted a "review" that said that it wasn't letting me upload. So, from now on, if there are any problems, usually I will let you know through there. Hope you like!