The next morning found Albus sitting in his chambers when Minerva and Harry arrived around eight. Albus had pulled the high chair into the livingroom and placed it between Minerva and himself at the table. A knock at the door alerted him to their presence and called for them to enter. Minerva entered, carrying a very active Harry over her shoulder.
"Good morning Minerva, how did it go last night?" Minerva sighed as she placed Harry on the floor with his stuffed cat.
"Last night was fine Albus; he slept through the night with no trouble, but this morning he has been interesting. It took us nearly an hour to get dressed this morning, apparently Harry has an aversion to pants." Albus started laughing at the exasperated look across her face.
"Well my dear I'm certain it shall pass, apparently when I was a child, I refused to wear socks. Look at how that turned out. Now I do believe I promised my two favorite people breakfast, did I not?" Minerva blushed slightly at the compliment.
"That you did Albus," she smiled accepting his hand, "and I for one am famished."
Albus reached down and swung Harry into the air, causing the little boy to giggle before being set in the high chair. Albus started to load Minerva's plate with various items as she began cutting Harry's into fist sized pieces. Minerva turned to find her plate loaded with her favorite foods and Albus just staring at her, smiling. "Thank you Albus."
"Quite welcome Minerva. Now, what shall we do about our young charge?" Minerva looked toward him, "I thought I could watch him while you teach, and you could take him when you're not. That way he's always with one of us instead of being passed around like a collection plate. Of course if you would prefer another arrangement, I would understand."
Minerva smiled as Albus began to fidget with his napkin. He really wanted to help, but didn't want to overstep with her. Minerva covered his hand with hers and gave it a light squeeze. "That sounds like an excellent idea Albus. I would appreciate all the help I can get, and I can think of no one better to help me raise him."
Albus' cheeks gained a slightly red hue as Minerva pulled her hand away. The rest of the meal was quiet, the adults watching each other and Harry, and Harry trying to shove food everywhere but in his mouth. By the time the meal was over, it was clear Harry was in need of a bath. Albus gathered him up and motioned for Minerva to follow him. They went through a door Minerva didn't remember, and she was surprised to see they were back in Harry's room.
"Poppy added an extra door," Albus commented as he saw her confused face. "At least this way Harry will always sleep in his own bed."
Minerva rather enjoyed the thought of Albus' chambers being connected to hers. They soon had Harry in the tub, strapped into one of those tub chairs for small children. He truly seemed to be enjoying himself, flinging bubbles and splashing water at the two, now very damp, adults.
After a quick change of clothes for all three, the group made their way out onto the grounds for a walk. When they stepped outside Albus set Harry down and cast a distance charm on the boy so he couldn't wander too far from them. Minerva had discovered that morning that Harry could walk, albeit unsteadily.
As Harry toddled across the grounds Albus and Minerva chatted, all the while keeping an eye on Harry. They had known each other for well over three decades, and in all that time they had never run out of things to discuss. They started with daily school activities and soon were onto mythology and muggle literature. Both had a fondness for Jane Austin, and could argue the finer points of her novels all day.
They had been outside most of the morning when Harry's stomach gave a growl. Minerva bent down and picked him up, "Well laddie it sounds as if someone is hungry." She turned to Albus, "I do believe it is time for lunch. Shall we?"
"Do we want to introduce Harry to the other professors yet, or would you like to give him a few more days before we spring them on him?"
Minerva looked up at the castle, "I would think they could behave themselves, and if gets to be too much we can always leave." Albus hadn't missed the "we" in that statement, and an odd sort of pride welled inside of him at being included with the two in front of him.
They arrived in the Great Hall a few minutes later to an uproar from the staff. Poppy hadn't mentioned to anyone that Harry was in the castle. As soon as Minerva entered, holding Harry's hand, and Albus followed, the table was silent. No one knew that the two had been together let alone had children. It wasn't until Poppy stood up and made her way to them and called the boy Harry that the lights started to dawn.
The staff watched as Minerva conjured a high chair for the boy and sat it in between herself and Albus. Albus couldn't help but smile at the faces of his colleagues.
Minerva cleared her throat, "Everyone I want to introduce Harry Potter. All of you know what happened yesterday, and Albus and I have taken him in. We will be raising him."
They all watched Harry, who was oblivious, as he started to munch on the carrots Minerva had placed on his tray. The rest of the meal was spent answering questions and trying to keep the staff from pawing the boy as he ate.
The staff also noticed something new. Albus and Minerva were acting differently. It was well known by the entire wizarding world that the two of them loved the other, the only fact better known was that they were hell bent not to make anything of it. Poppy couldn't help notice the slight change in her friends. As they ate each smiled more often, and gentle touches were often exchanged. Minerva seemed to laugh more and her eyes were softest when she looked at him. It was as if they had forgotten where they were. Poppy knew the extra door would come in handy sometime soon.
August flew by for the new family as routines were developed and lesson plans written. No matter how busy they each were, both Albus and Minerva made it a point to spend time together with Harry, normally walking the grounds as he played. There was almost no time that one didn't see the three of them together.
Soon it was the night before term started and Albus was sitting on the floor of Minerva's chambers, watching Harry laugh as multi colored sparks were emitted from his wand. Minerva walked over and handed Albus a mug of hot chocolate as she sat next to him.
"Albus, what do we want to do about tomorrow night? I can't carry Harry with me as I gather the first years. Do you think he would be alright being introduced to the students tomorrow?"
Albus had been thinking the same thing only that morning. He reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder. "I do believe so Minerva. We just tell the students the truth; it should be fine. I'll just sit his chair between ours like normal, he won't be alone. Don't worry."
Minerva brought her eyes to his and started as she realized their faces were mere inches apart. The air between seemed to charge and thicken in anticipation. Albus' eyes took on a completely new look as he stared at her. His hand rested against her jaw as his thumb swept across her lower lip. He closed the space slowly between them and lowered his lips to hers. It only took a moment for her shock to wear off and she began to respond.
The kiss only lasted a for a flash in time, but for the two involved, it was an eternity. They broke apart at the giggle from harry as he played with his kitten, and Albus was the first to regain his voice.
"Goodnight Minerva," he whispered, his hand still rubbing against her cheek, "I do believe I should be going. I will find you tomorrow."
With that Albus kissed her again lightly and walked through Harry's room and into his own. Minerva moved through her chambers mindlessly, and settled into bed, her lips still tingling. Only one thought rushed through her brain. "The man can kiss."